Handbook

GET OFF TO A GOOD START - PLAN TO DO THE FOLLOWING:

1.      Develop friendships.  Take advantage of school activities.  Join in!  To have a friend, be one.  Start by giving classmates a smile.  Students and staff are friendly and helpful.  Ask other students or a staff member for help.

2.      Be well informed-in school, on time, every day.  Get acquainted with your school, its services, activities and rules.  Listen to teachers as they give out directions and information.

3.      Work toward a goal.  With the help of your parents, teachers and other school staff, decide on some goals and begin to work toward reaching them.

4.      Learn to study effectively.  Use class time wisely.  Listen to explanations and follow directions!  Ask questions when you are uncertain.  Develop your reading and comprehension. It will save you time.  Ask your teacher about improving your study habits and the ability to concentrate.

5.      Keep up on all class assignments.  A few missed assignments can result in your becoming “lost” and may even lead to your failure.   Do not let yourself fall behind.

6.      Develop school spirit and loyalty.  This is your school.  We’re proud of Sundown and know that our school will be what we make it.  We invite you to join us in making it #1! And most importantly, remember to follow the Golden Rule. Treat others the way that you would like to be treated!

In the morning, students in grades 1-6 may be dropped off in the front of the school and enter through the front gate by room 214 or on the side of the school (62^nd Street) and enter through the gate by room 201.  Kindergarteners must be dropped off at the Kindergarten gate (blue gate) located in the front of the school. Students are NOT TO ENTER the school through the office area (front doors) unless they are tardy.

After school, there will be five dismissal spots for students in grades 1-6.

1. Bike gate (located by bike racks)*- Gate at end of Brandon Thomas Way- Walkers or bike riders ONLY. Parents are able to park in the neighborhood to pick up their student. 
2. Bus gate (62nd street lot)- Bus Riders ONLY
3. Front gate (Main J-8 lot by Room 214)- Drive up Pick Up ONLY, No walking to pick up from this location
4. Twirl gate (by church)- Walkers ONLY
5. Walker gate (62nd street lot behind classroom 201), Walkers ONLY

*only 3^rd – 6^th graders can ride bikes and MUST have a helmet.

Sundown cannot allow parents or non-school personnel to wait in the main office for after school pick up. Due to the large number of students and confidentiality issues, we must adhere to specific dismissal procedures. Students are not allowed to be walking through the main hallways or the office after school. All students must exit in a supervised line and leave through one of the exit gates. At least one teacher at each grade level will escort students to each dismissal point. Siblings in grades 1-6 will meet at their dismissal gate (NO EXCEPTIONS).

Kindergarten dismissal will be at 1:45pm. Please pick up kindergarten students and then proceed to designated areas for 1^st-6^th grade students. Kindergarten students will be dismissed from the classrooms.

Due to our large number of students, we encourage students who are eligible to ride the bus to do so.  We also highly recommend that students use the twirl gate exit and get picked up in the church parking lot.

Students who are not picked up by 2:10 pm may walk home or be taken to a supervised area. The school only provides after school supervision outside until 2:10 pm. Parents or guardians must park and come into the office to sign out students picked up late. 

There is one drive in gate for the main parking lot and all cars are to enter the EAST GATE ONLY.  When entering through the east gate, please pull into lane one or lane three to drop off or pick up.  Lane two is for moving traffic only.  REMEMBER THIS IS A DROP OFF/PICK UP  AREA ONLY & LANE TWO IS ONLY FOR VEHICLES TO DRIVE THROUGH. Please pull all the way forward to allow for the maximum number of cars to enter the parking lot. Drivers should drive very slowly when approaching the school and especially when driving into the parking lot.  Also, stress with your child the importance of not dashing between vehicles. We need everyone to be extra careful. We need everyone’s cooperation to make our school safe. The curb painted red in front of the school is our Fire/Emergency Services lane. Do not park in the red zone, at any time. Vehicles left in the fire lane are subject to ticketing and towing. Vehicles stopped or parked illegally on or off campus (south side of J-8, in the parking lot entry/exit areas, double parked, parked in the cross walks, etc.) are also subject to ticketing and towing.

Daily attendance at school is an important part of your child's school success.  The staff appreciates your concern and cooperation regarding building good work habits in our children.  Please be aware that California law requires verification of attendance. The only legally EXCUSED absences are those for illness, medical or dental appointments, exclusion from school for lack of immunization (limited to five days), court appearances where the student is required to be present and funeral services of an immediate family member (mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, brother, sister or any relative living in the household); one day for in state and three days for out of state.  All other absences are considered UNEXCUSED.

All absences have an effect on the school’s funding. We lose over $45.00 per child per day for any absence.  This is the same as having a portion of the family budget decreased unexpectedly.  When a district budget is cut, the school budget is cut resulting in a lack of supplies and programs.

If it is necessary for your child to miss school for any reason, please call our Central Attendance Absence Line at 661-974-8573 and leave a message or you can email Sundown School’s Attendance at sd.attendance@westside.k12.ca.us.  You may call the school and the office will forward your call to the Central Attendance Absence voice mailbox, ext. 17900.  You do not have to send a handwritten note with your child if you called or emailed our Central Attendance Absence Line. Absences must be excused within 4 school days.

If your child is absent for three or more days due to a medical reason, a signed doctor’s note must be bought to school with your child when he/she returns to school.

If your child will miss school for any other reason than an excused absence, please contact the school so that arrangements can be made for him/her to keep up with the necessary class work through an Independent Study Program.  According to state law, Independent Study must be at least 5 days long.  We require at least 5 school days notice prior to a student being assigned to Independent Study.  Independent Study Agreements must be signed prior to the student leaving and all work must be returned on the date the contract ends. Please see the Independent Study section.

If parents need to pick up their child early from school, they can report to the front office for early release. Early release is greatly discouraged as it takes away from the child’s education and the education of the rest of the class as the teacher prepares that child to leave early. We DO NOT allow early release after 1:30pm unless a parent has an appointment card from their doctor (or other professional) noting the need for that early release. 

EXCESSIVE ABSENCES AND TARDIES:

Students who miss more then 5 days of school each year typically don’t perform as well as those in attendance everyday. The accumulation of more than three absences a month, for any reason, is considered excessive absences. Students who are absent for significant periods of time and have not arranged to make up class assignments and/or tests may be considered for retention. Any child having 30 absences in a year, whether excused or not, will automatically be considered for retention.  Students with more than 10 absences may not be referred to tutoring or Child Study Team Meetings.

TRUANCY REMINDER: 

Three unexcused absences or unexcused tardies in excess of thirty minutes constitute a truancy (Ed. Code, #484631).  If your child is tardy for an excused reason but does not bring in a note to the teacher/office, the tardy will be considered unexcused.  We recommend that an adult come in with the child(ren) to sign him/her(them) in.  This is a safety precaution.

Two letters home concerning a student's tardiness and/or absences may force the school to refer the parents and student to the School Attendance Review Board (SARB).  Students referred to SARB who have unexcused absences are subject to ticketing which may result in a fine and a court appearance.

TARDY POLICY

Please help your child develop good habits about punctuality by encouraging prompt arrival at school. In order for school to begin on time, all students should be on campus before 7:40 am.  At 7:40 am, a bell will ring and they will line up for class. Class begins at 7:45 am. If a student is not with their class at that time, he/she is tardy. Sundown will have PE for the first 10-15 minutes of each day in addition to two 45 minute PE classes weekly in order to satisfy the state mandated PE requirements. Please have your student here on time to participate as this is part of the PE curriculum. Parents may not excuse their student for being tardy other than for reasons that would be accepted for an absence. They must bring a note for a doctor’s appointment. By law, we cannot excuse tardies due to traffic problems, a flat tire, or other unforeseen circumstances. Students are encouraged to be on campus prior to 7:30am to avoid tardies; traffic is also extremely heavy after 7:30 am. Students who report to school more than 30 minutes late do have that tardy counted towards truancy.

REVERSE TARDY POLICY

When a student is picked up early from school, before 1:55 pm dismissal time, a Reverse Tardy will be marked on the student’s attendance.  If your child has a doctor or dentist appointment, please bring in a note from the doctor or dentist and the Reverse Tardy will be recorded as an Excused Reverse Tardy.  To reiterate, early release is greatly discouraged as it takes away from the child’s education and the education of the rest of the class as the teacher prepares that child to leave early. We DO NOT allow early release after 1:30pm unless a parent has an appointment card from their doctor (or other professional) noting the need for that early release. 

At Sundown, we utilize the Boys Town positive behavior model which develops student social skills and is designed to nurture and support student academic and social needs.

Please visit the counseling page here for additional information. 

Sundown Elementary School believes that all students have a right to a safe and healthy school environment and have an obligation to promote mutual respect, tolerance and acceptance.

Sundown Elementary School will not tolerate behavior that infringes on the safety of any student.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Many students attending Sundown Elementary School are eligible to ride the bus to school as long as they abide by the bus rules.  The rules are designed to ensure the safety of all students riding the bus, and you are encouraged to stress the importance of following these rules with your child.

Requests to change buses will be granted only for emergency reasons.  Students may not transfer buses to visit friends, go to athletic practices, or other social reasons.  Students may be granted permission to change stops on their usual buses, with parental permission via a note to the office.

If you have questions about bus transportation, please call the Antelope Valley Schools Transportation Agency at 945-3621.

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

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

Hot lunches and milk are available every day in our school cafeteria.  Students may either purchase their breakfast/lunch or bring a sack lunch.  Students may also purchase breakfast/lunch tickets for an entire week or month in the cafeteria. Please include your child’s first and last name on the check.  If you send cash, please place it in a sealed envelope with their first and last name on the front of the envelope.  Breakfast/Lunch menus will be distributed to students every month.  Breakfast/Lunches can also be purchased on-line by visiting www.westside.k12.ca.us, go to Meal-pay plus.

 PLEASE NOTE: Good nutrition is stressed at our school.  Healthy drinks and snacks are encouraged.  Candy & soda are not considered good nutrition; soda is not allowed to be brought to school with lunch or for a snack.  Do not send red drinks to school as they stain when spilled.  If you send Top Ramen, or something similar, please put in a thermos, already prepared.  Cafeteria personnel cannot stop their duties to prepare this for the students.  

Sundown does allow students to carry water (only) bottles during PE class and in the classrooms. Beverages other than water are only allowed to be consumed during the lunch break, in the proper areas.

If a student forgets their lunch and a parent chooses to bring it to school, we will not interrupt class to deliver the lunch.   Student runners will make a morning delivery for all items brought to school after the start of the day. Lunches brought to school after the morning delivery will remain in the office and students will need to claim them when they go in for lunch. Students need to be aware of this policy so they know to look for their lunch in the office, if a parent will be dropping it off. Please make sure to put your child’s first and last name on their lunch if you are going to be dropping it off.

BREAKFAST PRICES

Students     Free

LUNCH PRICES

Students              Free                                     

Adult Lunch or Salad             $5.25                    

Please visit the Child Nutrition Page for additional information. 

By participating in grants from the federal government, the district must maintain a Wellness Policy. The policy, adopted by the district in July of 2006, notes that only food items that fit within the Wellness guidelines can be provided at school; this includes items served in the classroom, (during parties and such) items provided by the PTA, and items provided during lunch (not items sent from home for an individual student’s consumption.) This policy is in effect beginning one hour before school until thirty minutes after school. This policy only affects items consumed here at school. The policy allows one time a month where classes can deviate from the normal wellness guidelines. Being that a class can only do this once a month, birthday parties and such should be consolidated. We encourage parents to work with their child’s teacher when it comes to bringing in sweet snacks like cupcakes or cookies. We also encourage everyone to consider healthy alternatives to snacks like this when it comes to parties or rewards. Items like erasers and small toys are often just as exciting for the students.  This policy does not affect fundraisers and such where the items are not consumed here at school.

Appointments can be made with the principal or teacher by calling the school and making an appointment, or sending a note with your child to the office or teacher.  Most appointments with the principal and teachers would be before/after school for teachers and at 7:15 am, or between 1:00-3 pm for administrators.  Drop-in conferences are discouraged, as there are scheduled events that may be in conflict.  Scheduled telephone conferences may be an effective and beneficial alternative.

Sundown currently staffs three crosswalk areas: J-8 & 60^th Street, J-8 & 62^nd Street; and 62^nd Street & Jasper. All three of these crosswalks are staffed before and after school. Cars are required to stop anytime staff or students are in the crosswalk. Hefty fines are enforced for anyone violating the stop requirement or endangering the safety of students, parents, community members, or staff in the crossing zones.

Students are not to have cell phones or other electronic items on or out while on the school grounds. If a parent chooses to have their child bring a cell phone or other electronic device to school, the phone must remain off and put away. ANY cell phone (pagers or other electronic signaling device) that is found on, goes off, or is not “put away” may be confiscated by school staff, given to the principal, and only returned to the parent. If a student has their cell phone confiscated more than once, they will not be allowed to have it back at school for the remainder of the year.  The school is not responsible for any lost or stolen cell phones or technological equipment.

Cameras are not allowed at school with students at any time unless specific permission has been given by a staff member. This includes cell phone cameras. 

As much as we hope an earthquake doesn’t happen, we want to be prepared if it does. Earthquake, Fire, and/or Lockdown Drills are held monthly.  You may arrive at school to find our doors locked with a sign indicating which drill is occurring.  Be patient – we practice to help keep all of us safe. Please watch for flyers from the Safety Committee asking for needed materials.   

In case of a need to “Lock Down” our campus, the school uses a code that may be announced over the speaker system or a portable speaker that lets the supervisors know to bring everyone into the class. During a lock down, the entire campus will be secured and no students or adults will be allowed to enter or leave. This means that NO ONE, except required emergency personnel, will be allowed on to campus during a lock down. In the event that we need to go into a lock down, we appreciate your understanding that your child’s safety is our immediate concern and that you may be delayed in your ability to enter the campus to pick up your child. Please be patient and do not stop personnel who may be working to assist in the lock down.

It is the policy of this school to afford all students regardless of their sex, equal rights and opportunities. You may contact the District Office, (661) 722-0716 if you have questions regarding compliance.

Field trip permission forms must be completely filled out before the field trip (regardless if the trip/event is on campus or off.)  Without them completely filled out before the field trip, your student can not attend. A note from the parent is not sufficient for a child to attend a field trip. Only eligible students, with completed district forms will be allowed to attend.

We recognize that when students are eating healthier foods, their brains are better able to learn and grow. We strongly encourage either eating from the cafeteria which meets specific nutritional guidelines or packing healthier foods to eat on campus.  Here are some additional recommendations and guidelines: 

• "Junk food" such as candy or chips are not to be shared among students
• Candy and chips are encouraged not to be brought to school, or be in individual sized portions
• Absolutely no fast food is able to be delivered or eaten on campus. 

Board Policy 6154

The Board of Trustees recognizes that meaningful homework assignments can be a valuable addition to student learning time and assist students in developing good study habits. Homework shall be assigned as necessary in order to meet the needs of the individual student. Homework shall be considered as extensions and enrichment of the regular classroom instructional program. Homework may be designed for students to research and explore essential concepts, share and discuss ideas, review and summarize materials studied, become acquainted with community resources, organize the thoughts and thinking processes of pupils in preparation for classroom activities, and make up incomplete course or subject assignments.

Although on-time completion of homework is important to maintain academic progress, the Board recognizes that students learn at different rates. Students may receive credit for work that is completed late in order to encourage their continued learning.

Age-appropriate instruction may be given to help students allocate their time wisely, meet their deadlines, and develop good personal study habits.

At the beginning of the school year, teachers shall communicate homework expectations to students and their parents/guardians. 

Please be sure that we have an accurate address and phone number where you may be reached during the school day.  Should your child become ill or injured during school, it will be necessary for us to contact you immediately.  For your child's protection, it is also necessary for you to provide us with the name of three local alternate persons to contact in the event we are unable to reach you. It is important for this information to be current at all times.  Remember, our ability to contact someone immediately may be the difference in obtaining appropriate medical care or attention for your child.  If the parents cannot be reached, the numbers on the emergency card are not available or the parties do not wish to take the responsibility, we will call 911 if we feel it necessary to do so.  In this event, the school or the district is not responsible for the charges, and the student will be taken to the closest hospital to the school (Antelope Valley Medical Center).

The office staff works very hard to make sure everyone coming on to campus is being assisted. Our office can get very busy during the day, so please be patient if you are not assisted immediately. Please refrain from using cell phones and other devices while in the office as they do add to the noise level and deter from the ability of the staff to effectively assist everyone in need. We are here to help you as quickly as we possibly can.

If you are unsure how weather conditions are affecting the school, please tune to a local radio station for information: 610 AM, 1380 AM, 1470 AM, 103.1 AM, 106 FM, or 107.3 FM, or the district web page at www.westside.k12.ca.us. School closures and/or shortened days will be announced as soon as the determination has been made.

If your child will miss five or more days of school for any reason, it is important that you contact the school prior to the absence so that arrangements can be made for him/her to keep up with the necessary class work through Independent Study.

PARENTS:

• Notify school in advance, at least five school days prior to the planned departure from school.
• The request for short term independent study must be for a minimum of at least five consecutive days. It cannot be requested for less than 5 days.
• The principal of the school has the right to deny a new short term independent study agreement when the student has history of not completing work assigned.
• Except for chronic or extended medical conditions, the short term independent study agreement must be planned, written and signed before the start of the absences and cannot be made retroactive to an earlier date. If the absence is the result of a chronic or extended medical condition, independent study shall commence on the date all required parties signed and completed the agreement.
• All assignments must be completed and returned by the due date or the date the student returns to classroom instruction, whichever occurs first. This date is final and cannot be extended under any circumstances. If completed work is sent by mail, it must be sent by priority mail and postmarked by the agreement due date.
• If the student is ill or absent from school on the due date, all assignments must be returned to school by the due date anyway by a parent or any other person designated to deliver the work.
• If assignments are completed or returned after the due date, academic credit may be given but no credit will be awarded for attendance.
• Schedule an appointment at least two days prior to departure to discuss short term independent study requirements and obtain required paperwork and pupil assignments from the supervising teacher. The supervising teacher needs to be the certificated teacher assigned to the classroom and the person responsible for facilitating and evaluating the work assigned in the agreement.
• For special education students, a short term independent study agreement must be stipulated in the IEP if ten or more school days are requested, as this represents a change in the student’s Special Education placement.
• During the term of the short term independent study, please supervise your student and ensure that he/she completes all assignments and reports as stated in the assignments agreement.

STUDENTS:

• Sign short term independent study agreement and assignment agreement prior to departure.
• Complete all work prior to the assigned due date and before returning to the regular classroom instruction.
• Return all completed work to the attendance office or to the supervising teacher on the assigned due date specified in the short term independent study agreement. If completed work is sent by mail, it must be sent by priority mail and postmarked with the due date of the assignments as shown on the agreement. If absent from school on the due date, send work with parent or other designated person by due date, not when you return to school.
• If assignments are completed and returned after the due date, academic credit may be given but no credit will be awarded for attendance. Credited days of attendance will be awarded only for equivalent completed work returned on the assignment due date.

The following policies regarding Inter-District Transfers will be utilized. The parent can submit their request during the enrollment period to the Educational Services Department. The Educational Services Department will contact the school to confirm class size and make a determination regarding acceptance or denial at that time. If you have any questions regarding the policy, please contact Educational Services at 661-722-0716.

Students on an Inter-District transfer are expected to have satisfactory or excellent:

• Attendance
• Grades
• Behavior

If a student on an inter-district transfer is not meeting those requirements, their family will be provided a warning in writing. If expectations are not met within the specified amount of time, then the transfer may be revoked. 

Students are not permitted to leave the school grounds prior to dismissal unless they have been signed out in the office by their parent, guardian or other persons listed on the student's emergency card and have permission from school staff.  We strongly urge you to send a note to school with your child so that the classroom teacher can send your child to the office at the specified time.  If students return to school after being signed out, the adult needs to come into the office and sign the student back in before the student returns to class.

If your child will be going home after school any way other than what he/she normally does, a note must be sent to the teacher.  Without a note, your child will be sent home his/her normal way.  Students not riding the bus or walking need to be picked up promptly at 1:55 pm (minimum days are 12:55pm). If you are unable to do this, please make other arrangements for them to be picked up on time.  We do not have playground supervisors on the grounds after school, so students are not allowed on the playground while waiting to be picked up. 

It is usually possible to work out a schedule with your physician to administer the medication at home before and after school rather than during the school day.  If this is possible, we encourage you to do this.

However, if it is necessary for your child to take medication (over-the-counter medication included) during school hours, the following procedures must be followed:

1.  A Request for Medication needs to be picked up from the office, filled out and signed by the doctor and you. Then it needs to be returned to the school office by you.

2.  The medication must be in the original container and properly labeled by the pharmacist.

3.  Medications must be brought to the office by the parent or guardian.  At no time may the student bring it.

Thanks for helping us to safeguard your child's health.

The following dates will be minimum days:

• August 3, 2022
• August 4, 2022
• August 29, 2022
• November 28, 2022
• December 5, 2022
• December 16, 2022
• January 9, 2023
• March 17, 2023
• May 31, 2023
• June 1, 2023

1st-6th is dismissed at 12:55pm

Kindergarten is dismissed at 12:45pm

UPK is dismissed at 12:40pm

We are aware that some illnesses and injuries require modifications in the type of activity in which students can safely participate. We will of course follow any medical doctor’s specific recommendation; however, under Board Policy we will require students to “participate to the greatest extent possible.” For those with serious injuries this may mean refereeing or aiding the teacher. For those with hand injuries, running may still be appropriate. Those with asthma complications, walking in place or jogging may be required. Other situations may arise where the teacher may need to modify but not completely excuse daily physical education.

               WUSD Board policy BP6142.7

            Physical education will be required unless a physician’s note defining the physical disability or health condition which prevents the student from full participation in P.E. is provided. The physician’s note must state the length of time the student is to be excused and the extent to which the student can participate in physical education activities. A physician’s written recommendations describing a student’s physical limitations, restrictions, or specific permitted activities will be implemented for the length of time the physician states. Students will be expected to participate in P.E. to the greatest extent possible. A parent’s/guardian’s note excusing a student for no more than three consecutive school days from P.E. due to a health condition will be accepted. Students excused with a parent’s/guardian’s note will be expected to participate in the activities of the physical education activities to the greatest extent possible.

Adopted: November 18, 2008 Quartz Hill, California

With regard to parent’s notes, parents will need to indicate specific problems with specific limitations.

Physical Education is an activity class provided by the district at Sundown Elementary School two days per week and additionally for the first 10-15 minutes of each school day with their class room teacher. Students should bring and utilize the proper equipment including athletic shoes.

Pets are not allowed on campus at anytime without specific permission from your child’s teacher or the school administrator. This includes all areas of the parking lot, playground, and classrooms/building.

Westside Union School District is pleased to announce that all of our schools will continue to use Pearson’s PowerSchool Premier for their Student Information System for the 2019-2020 school year. PowerSchool offers parents real-time access to attendance, grades and announcements. PowerSchool will be available anywhere as long as you can connect to the Internet.

As soon as logon information is available usernames and passwords will be distributed. For security reasons, please keep your username and password in a safe place.

Below is basic information to get you started once you have your logon information (prior logon information should continue to work for your student.)

Accessing the Site

1.      Connect to the internet

2.      Access Westside Union School District’s website: www.westside.k12.ca.us

3.      Click on the ‘Parents’ link at the top

4.      Click on the ‘PowerSchool’ link on the left margin

5.      A login page will appear, very similar to this

6.      Type in username

7.      Type in password

8.      Click on ‘Enter’ button

Accessing Student Information

Once logged in, you will see a menu bar at the top of the screen. 

After you select an icon, you will find more information specific to that category. For example, by selecting Grades & Attendance, you will see a screen similar to the example below. Note that words and numbers appearing in blue are hyperlinks. By clicking on them you can find more detailed information.

When you are done in PowerSchool, you must log off by selecting the ‘Log Out’ button accessed from all pages.

Sundown Elementary PTA is an organization dedicated to improving and supporting the quality of education for students in our school.  It is made up of parents, teachers, community members and other people interested in helping students have the best opportunities while they are here.

The strength of our PTA is the steadfast commitment to excellence in our school.  Many educational opportunities are the direct result of members’ efforts in fund raising, volunteerism, and the support of our national and state organizations which sponsor legislation for children.

You are encouraged to get involved in PTA.  With everyone's help, our students reap great benefits from our efforts.  Ways you can become an active part of the PTA are:

*Pay your membership dues

*Join a committee

*Assist with a fun/fund raising activity

*Be a room parent

*Be a classroom volunteer

*Correspond with your local legislators

*Attend general meetings

*Support your child's educational programs

The success of our PTA depends on each of us participating in support of our children.  Remember, "If not you, who?  If not now, when?"  You children will appreciate the help and we look forward to your continued cooperation, help and support with our activities and projects throughout this year.

Elementary and middle school counselors support student growth in the areas of academics, career and personal/social development. These services may address a variety of topics such as: friendship problems, goal setting, academic progress, study skills, bullying, self-esteem, working with others, decision making, managing/understanding feelings, peer relationships, career exploration, social skills, etc. It is important to establish respect and trust with students, therefore student confidentiality will be respected, with possible exceptions to high-risk behaviors, harm to self or others, or neglect requiring immediate outside services and/or law enforcement. Counseling services can be delivered in a variety of formats such as one-on-one, small group, classroom sessions, and/or large settings. School counseling services are provided on an as needed basis throughout the school year, however these services are not intended as clinical therapy.

School counselors can assist parents with understanding the developmental changes of childhood, facilitating collaboration between parents and teachers, and providing community resources. Please contact the school if you would like to refer your student for counseling services. 

Sundown and the district use the School Messenger dialing system. This system allows us to make mass phone calls to all or groups of parents in a very short amount of time. The new system can call, text, and/or email. Please be sure we have your current phone number and email address and please update this information as necessary.

Textbooks, library books and other school property are for student's use.  Students are responsible to do their part to keep their assigned property, as well as the buildings and grounds, in a manner that will make all of us proud of our school.  Library books are checked out, and 3^rd – 6^th graders may elect to take books home; however, students are responsible for returning books on time.  The privilege of checking out a book will be suspended for students with overdue books and/or outstanding fines. All lost or damaged books must be replaced by the student to whom they are assigned. It is the students' responsibility to cover all assigned textbooks.  It is recommended that library books, if carried to and from school, be transported in a zip-lock plastic bag.

Report cards are not handed out to student’s who have an outstanding library book, who owe for a damaged book, lunch money or any other financial obligation.  Extra curricular activities such as field trips, assemblies, etc. are also removed for students who owe any school debt.

The school site council helps develop our school plan in conjunction with the district. Areas that may be covered in our plan include:

•Curricula, instructional strategies and materials responsive to the individual needs and learning styles of each pupil.

•Instructional and auxiliary services to meet the special needs of non-English-speaking or limited-English-speaking pupils, including instruction in a language these pupils understand; educationally disadvantaged pupils; gifted and talented pupils; and pupils with exceptional needs.

•A staff development program for teachers, other school personnel, paraprofessionals, and volunteers, including those participating in special programs.  Staff development programs may include the use of program guidelines that have been developed by the superintendent for specific learning disabilities, including dyslexia, and other related disorders.  The strategies included in the guidelines and instructional materials that focus on successful approaches for working with pupils who have been prenatally substance exposed, as well as other at-risk pupils, may also be provided to teachers.

•Ongoing evaluation of the educational program of the school.

•Other activities and objectives as established by the council.

•The proposed expenditure of funds available to the school through the federal Improving America's Schools Act of 1994 (IASA) (20 U.S.C. Sec. 6301 et seq.) and its amendments.  If the school operates a state-approved schoolwide program pursuant to Section 6314 of Title 20 of the United States Code in a manner consistent with the expenditure of funds available to the school pursuant to Section 52851, employees of the schoolwide program may be deemed funded by a single cost objective.

The school site council will annually review the school plan, establish a new budget, and if necessary, make other modifications in the plan to reflect changing needs and priorities.

If you are interested in serving on the Sundown Elementary School Site Council, please email Ms. Brouwer at a.brouwer@westside.k12.ca.us or call Sundown at 661-722-3026 x 17977.

Donations are accepted. Please speak with your child’s teacher if you would like to donate school supplies. You may also find recommended supplies lists for each grade level listed under their "Academics" page. 

“Specials” is our term for the additional activities students will do each day. These include two days of PE, and one day each of Tech Time, Library, and STEAM-SEL. STEAM is an acronym that stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM). At Sundown this year, we will have one STEAM day specifically to address engaging STEAM activities for our students. SEL is an acronym for Social-Emotional Learning. Once a month the school counselor will be providing counseling lessons during this time that focus on various aspects of social-emotional learning. Teachers may be doing additional STEAM or SEL activities throughout the week.

Any article which might cause damage, injury, embarrassment, disruption of the school program, or be of any nuisance should be left at home. Game consoles, IPods, MP3 players, radios, digital recorders, CD players, or other electronic devices are also not permitted per district policy. All privately owned audio equipment and personal athletic equipment are not permitted at school. Cell phones must be turned off and put away. Recording of students through audio, video, or pictures, is not permitted on campus by students. Cell phones found to be on the students instead of in their backpacks will be brought to the office and an adult will have to pick them up. Repeated incidents will result in a student no longer being able to bring a device onto campus. 

Our school is pleased to recognize student achievement by presenting awards each semester. Students in 4^th, 5^th and 6^th grade will be recognized with Academic Honors if they demonstrate mastery of standards in ALL academic content areas. This is demonstrated by achieving 3s and 4s in all four academic areas. Students who demonstrate mastery of standards in ALL academic content areas AND demonstrate exemplary skills in College and Career Readiness will be recognized with High Honors.  Students in 4^th, 5^th and 6^th grade who meet or exceed standards in English Language Arts or Mathematics as determined by the annual California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP test) will be recognized with the Westside Scholar Award. Parents are invited to attend these awards assemblies and share in the recognition of the students' outstanding achievement. Invitations are generally sent home with the student. Students in grades K-3 will be recognized throughout the year independently.

Throughout the school year, students will be provided with educational opportunities that will encourage them to adopt a healthy life style.  One of the main components will be programs that emphasize a "Say No!" approach to drugs, alcohol and tobacco by encouraging a strong, healthy self-concept. In conjunction with classroom instruction, nurses, teachers, administrators, and deputies from the LA County Sheriff's office and other staff members are available to provide guidance to students and their parents as necessary.

Student possession or use of any alcohol, tobacco products or illegal drugs will not be tolerated at school or school functions and may result in suspension from school, expulsion, and/or referral to an outside agency.

Title 1 is a federal program designed to provide additional program money for students who are identified as “at risk” and whose teachers feel would profit from extra help in the areas of Reading, Math and Language.

The Westside Union School District recognizes that the health hazards associated with smoking and the use of tobacco products, including the breathing of second-hand smoke, are inconsistent with its goal to provide a healthy environment for students and staff.

Tobacco Use is prohibited at all times on all district property, owned, leased or rented, and in all district vehicles. This policy applies to all employees, students and visitors. Any violation of the policy will result in disciplinary action, up to and including suspension.

Smoking or use of any tobacco related products and disposal of any tobacco related waste are prohibited within 25 feet of any playground, except on a public sidewalk located within 25 feet of the playground as stated in Board Policy AR3513.3

The Westside Union School district has the primary responsibility for compliance with federal and state laws and regulations. We have established Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP) to address allegations of unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying, and complaints alleging violation of state or federal laws governing educational programs, the charging of unlawful pupil fees and the non-compliance of our Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP).

We will investigate all allegations of unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying against any protect group as identified in Education Code section 200 and 220 and Government Code section 11135, including any actual or perceived characteristics as set forth in Penal Code section 422.55 or on the basis or a person’s association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics in any program or activity conducted by the agency, which is funded directly by, or that receives or benefits from any state financial assistance.

The UCP shall also be used when addressing complaints alleging failure to comply with state and/or federal laws in:

            After School Education and Safety

            California Peer Assistance and Review Programs for Teachers

            Career Technical and Technical Education and Career Technical and Technical Training

            Career Technical Education

            Child Care and Development

            Child Nutrition

            Compensatory Education

            Consolidated Categorical Aid

            Couse Periods without Educational Content

            Education of Pupils in Foster Care and Pupils who are Homeless

            Every Student Succeeds Act/No Child Left Behind

Local Control Accountability Plans (including Charter Schools as described in EC $$ 47606.5 and

            47607.3)

Migrant Education

Physical Education Instructional Minutes

Pupil Fees

Reasonable Accommodations to a Lactating Pupil

School Safety Plans

Special Education

Tobacco-Use Prevention Education

A pupil fee includes, but is not limited to, all of the following:

1.      A fee charged to a pupil as a condition for registering for school or classes, or as a condition for participation in a class or an extracurricular activity, regardless of whether the class or activity is elective or compulsory, or is for credit.

2.      A security deposit, or other payment, that a pupil is required to make to obtain a lock, locker, book, class apparatus, musical instrument, clothes, or other materials or equipment.

3.      A purchase that a pupil is required to make to obtain materials, supplies, equipment, or clothes associated with an educational activity.

A pupil fees or LCAP complaint may be filed anonymously if the complainant provides evidence or information leading to evidence to support the complaint.

A pupil enrolled in a public school shall not be required to pay a pupil fee for participation in an educational activity.

A pupil fee complaint shall be filed no later than one year from the date the alleged violation occurred.

We shall post a standardized notice of the educational rights of foster and homeless youth, as specified in Education Code Sections 48853, 48853.5, 49069.5, 51225.1, and 51225.2. This notice shall include complaint process information, as applicable.

Complaints other than issues relating to pupil fees must be filed in writing with the following designated to receive complaints:

Name or title: Marguerite Johnson, Assistant Superintendent

Unit or office:  Educational Services

Address: 41914 50^th Street West, Lancaster, CA 93536

Phone: 661-722-0716   E-mail address: ma.johnson@westside.k12.ca.us

A pupil fee complaint is filed with the Superintendent or designee of the Westside Union School District and/or the principal of a school.

Complaints alleging discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying, must be filed within six (6) months from the date the alleged discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying, occurred or the date the complainant first obtained knowledge of the facts of the alleged discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying, unless the time for filing is extended by the superintendent or his or her designee.

Complaints will be investigated and a written Decision or report will be sent to the complainant within sixty (60) days from the receipt of the complaint. This time period may be extended by written agreement of the complainant. The person responsible for investigating the complaint shall conduct and complete the investigation in accordance with local procedures adopted under section 4621.

The complainant has a right to appeal our Decision of complaints regarding specific programs, pupil fees and the LCAP to the California Department of Education (CDE) by filing a written appeal within 15 days of receiving our Decision. The appeal must be accompanied by a copy of the originally-filled complaint and a copy of our Decision.

The complainant is advised of civil law remedies, including, but not limited to, injunctions, restraining orders, or other remedies or orders that may be available under state or federal discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying laws, if applicable.

A copy of our UCP compliant policies and procedures is available free of charge.

VISITORS

We ask that anyone who is on campus for any reason to please check in with the office. If you are on campus to pick up a child or remain in the office area you do not need to sign in. If you are going to be leaving the office area, you are REQUIRED to have permission from staff, show identification (driver’s license), sign in and wear a visitor’s badge. This includes before, during and after school.

Classroom visits should be arranged with the teacher at least 24 hours in advance, and visitors are only allowed to go to the specific classroom they have arranged to visit.

VOLUNTEERS

Parent volunteers are welcomed at Sundown.  If you desire to assist the classroom teacher in the room on a regular basis (more than once or twice a year) or by making educational materials, please contact the teacher to arrange to do so. Classroom volunteers must sign in at the office and MUST HAVE A MANTOUX TB SCREENING AND FINGERPRINT CLEARANCE (done through WUSD) ON FILE WITH THE DISTRICT.  All field trip chaperones must also meet these requirements.

A student must be in the third grade or above to ride a bike to school.  He/she must park and lock the bike in the bike racks which are located on the north playground.  Bicycles must not be ridden on the school grounds, and HELMETS ARE A MUST! If a student rides their bike to school and fails to bring a helmet, the student WILL NOT be allowed to ride the bike home; school officials will confiscate the bike until the student returns with a helmet. Law requires that students wear bike helmets, we enforce this policy for the safety of all students.  Skateboards, roller blades, “roller shoes”, and scooters are not allowed to be ridden to or from school.

“WIN” stands for “What I Need.” We have developed a master schedule for the campus so all students have a dedicated WIN time. This is the time when all students will have small group instruction that is designed for their specific academic level. For some students this will include targeted interventions to either help fill in gaps or as a reinforcement of current learning. For other students, this may be an enrichment time where they are given opportunities to extend their learning. This is a protected time, and classes will not be interrupted during this time.

When a student is being transferred to another school, you as the parent need to notify the school office and come in to complete the check out process.  This will enable the staff to efficiently get the necessary paperwork taken care of to forward on to the next school.