Chula Vista Elementary School District

HILLTOP DRIVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
30 Murray Street Chula Vista, CA 91910
619/422-8323 Fax 619/691-1375
Michelle Beauchamp, Principal


Dear Hilltop Families:

I would like to welcome all returning families back to Hilltop for school year 2005-2006! For our new families I would like to extend a warm welcome to you and look forward to meeting you. I know you will find this a wonderful school where students and parents are valued and appreciated.

This Parent Handbook will provide you with general information about our wonderful school, school rules, dynamic programs, our schoolwide behavior plan, and our Parent-School Compact. Please read this information carefully and review it with your child(ren). This is very important as we refer to this manual throughout the school year. The staff here at Hilltop Drive Elementary School looks forward to working with you and your child during this school year.

Thank you for taking the time to read through these materials and for reviewing this information with your child(ren). I encourage you to get involved at Hilltop Drive Elementary School, as your participation will only enhance your child’s educational experience. As always, we are eager to answer any questions or concerns, so please call or stop by. The staff and I are looking forward to an exciting and learning-filled year and we welcome you, once again, to our outstanding community school.

Sincerely,

Michelle Beauchamp
Principal

**Note that the last page is the Home-School Compact that must be signed and returned
School Mission
We, at Hilltop Drive Elementary School, prepare children for their future by providing the necessary skills to live as responsible and productive citizens. We motivate students to achieve their maximum potential, to value lifelong learning, and to be accepting of others. As a caring staff committed to our families and our community, we affect individuals and society at large.

Values and Beliefs
Hilltop Drive School will provide students with the most current materials, strategies and educational resources to develop independent learners. Hilltop Drive School is a standards-based school committed to student achievement in both state and district standards and our focus on writing. The staff at Hilltop Drive is dedicated to encouraging students to take charge of their learning as well as master the ability to acquire knowledge in a variety of situations to prepare them for future academic success. Hilltop staff and students will continue to recognize, appreciate and celebrate diversity in our community as well as communities around the world. Armed with the ability to acquire knowledge on their own, students will become life-long global learners and incorporate their technology skills in many aspects of their future. Hilltop Drive School is committed to meeting the needs of an ever-changing diverse population as we prepare our students for the future.










General School Information


School Hours

M-T-W-Th Fri.(Min.Day)
Start Dismissal Start Dismissal
A.M. Kindergarten 8:25 a.m. 11:45 a.m. 8:25 a.m. 11:45 a.m.
P.M. Kindergarten 11:35 a.m. 2:55 p.m. 8:25 a.m. 11:45 a.m.

Grades 1-6 8:30 a.m. 2:55 p.m. 8:30 a.m. 1:25 p.m.

Lunch Time
Grades 1 and 2 11:40 – 12:25 11:40 – 12:25
Grades 3 and 4 12:05 – 12:50 12:05 – 12:50
Grades 5 and 6 12:30 – 1:15 12:30 – 1:15

*Fridays are minimum days for students as teachers and staff utilize this time for inservice training, articulation, professional growth, and parent conferencing.

Accountability Report Card
If you would like to view Hilltop Drive’s Accountability Report card please visit the Chula Vista Elementary School District web page at http://www.cvesd.k12.ca.us/. This document is provided for the community each year and describes many of Hilltop’s programs and other pertinent information.

Morning Arrival
Students should not come to school before 8:15 a.m. unless they are participating in the breakfast program. We do not have supervision for them and safety becomes an issue. If children are eating breakfast they may arrive at 7:55 a.m. to eat where they will remain until 8:15 a.m. When students are dismissed from breakfast or arrive at school they are to line up on the playground at their designated locations along the asphalt as identified by room numbers.

Breakfast Express
Hilltop Drive offers breakfast each morning from 7:55 to 8:25. The price of breakfast is $1.00 and .30 cents for reduced. If your child qualifies for a free or reduced lunch, he/she is also entitled for a free or reduced breakfast.

Attendance
Attendance is crucial to a child’s success at school. We encourage parents to have their child come to school each day unless they are sick. Please schedule doctors and dentist appointments for late in the day. If you have to schedule an appointment for the morning, please send your child to school and come and pick them up prior to the appointment.

We understand that there are circumstances and situations that arise and require a child to miss school for an extended period of time. If your child is going to miss school for five or more days, please come by the office and pick up an Independent Study Contract.

Residency Verification
The Chula Vista Elementary School District will verify all residences of the students attending any school within our district as per California State Law. An audit is performed annually. Unfortunately, if it is established that you do not reside within school or district boundaries, or do not have a currently approved zone transfer, your child will be returned to his or her designated home school.

Lunch Procedures
Students who wish to purchase a school lunch for the day (or longer) may do so Monday mornings in the cafeteria. We ask that you send your child’s money in an envelope labeled with the child’s first and last name, and the amount you are sending. The cost of lunch is $7.50 per week (5 days of lunch). If you would rather buy daily, your child will purchase his/her lunch for $1.50 directly from the cafeteria as they pick up their food. Prepaying for weekly lunches allows your child to move quickly through the lunch lines and cuts down on the children losing their lunch money. Unfortunately, the school is not able to provide lunch loans for children who do not have lunch money. Children who have no lunch money or lunch will call home to make other arrangements.

If your child has a balance of over $5.00 they will be given a predetermined lunch.

*Free and reduced lunch program applications must be filled out each year.
PLEASE FILL ONE OUT!

Traffic Safety
The traffic conditions in and around Hilltop Drive are like all other elementary schools; very busy and may present a hazard for our children when traffic laws are not followed and caution is not taken. Please do not park behind the cars in front of the school to pick your child up. We do not want students walking out in the middle of the street. By doing this you also cause cars to be blocked in and create an unsafe school environment. In addition, the marked yellow zone in front of our Kindergarten playground is a moving pick up for cars and buses. You may not park in this area. It is best to identify a location around the school where you will pick your child up. For morning drop-off our PTA provides a Greeter Program where you simply drive up and drop your child off.

Parent Teacher Association
At Hilltop Drive, we believe that our PTA is an important partner for our children and our school. We encourage you to join this outstanding organization as they play a vital role in the support of your child’s educational experiences. Please look for the membership envelope and a volunteer sheet that is sent home with every child. We invite you to join and attend the many outstanding events sponsored by our PTA throughout the year.

Emergency and Disaster Information
Please fill in both sides of your green Emergency Card and the White Disaster Information card and return it to the school by the end of the first week of school. These cards provide us with important information as to whom we should contact in case of an emergency. Your child will only be released to the persons you list on these cards so please give consideration to the people you list. This information needs to be updated throughout the year as changes occur in your address, phone numbers, and other personal information. Unless specific written permission by you is received, your child will not be released to an undesignated adult or child. We will send home additional information regarding our Disaster Drill in the fall.

Instructional Program
The textbooks that are used at Hilltop Drive have been selected from state-adopted lists and coincide with the adoptions cycle established by the State Board of Education. Each school is provided with sufficient equipment and materials to adequately support the instructional program, which is based upon California State Content Standards. Standards provide goals and expectations for students to achieve in each subject area as well as a road map for teacher instruction. Teachers will share with their students the standards and provide rationale and reason for the particular activity and lesson.

English Language Learner Programs
At Hilltop, we provide our second language students a Structured English Immersion program (SEI). This provides an English-only instructional program and students receive a minimum of thirty minutes of instruction in language development. In addition, the classroom teacher includes instruction using English Language Development standards and other instructional materials and strategies to assist in the acquisition of English. Some students who need additional support may receive assistance in the classroom or in a small group by the English Language Learner aide or our Language Arts Specialist.

Homework Policy
The opportunity to influence a child grows from the partnership of student, staff, and parent. Homework can enrich a student’s education and can bring parents to a one-to-one working relationship with the child. Parental support in homework is integral to following through on the efforts made at Hilltop Drive each day. The following points of Hilltop Drive’s homework policy were created in accordance with CVESD Board Policy No. 6154. Homework can be assigned in any classroom subject as well as in speech, music, and ESL. The Board of Education recommends the following weekly time allotments:
K-1: 80-120 minutes, 2-3: 120-140 minutes, 4-6: 160-240 minutes weekly.


*Homework should help a child:
  Improve performance in basic skills: i.e., reading, writing, math and spelling;
  Develop independent study habits, self-discipline, and a sense of responsibility and natural curiosity;
  Reinforce classroom learning;
  Enrich school experiences through independent study;
  Provide independent practice;
  Explore areas beyond instructional program;
  Homework is not designed to be instructional or new material, but reinforcement.

*Your child’s teacher is committed to:
  Explaining and clarifying assignments with students at the time the homework assignment is made;
  Making parents aware of long-term assignments;
  Reminding students about assignments;
  Monitoring and evaluating assignments;
  Giving students access to materials basic to completing tasks;
  Assigning work in time allotments appropriate to individual needs and differences;
  Informing students of consequences regarding non-completion of homework.
*A parent is responsible to:
  Provide a quiet place and a regular time for homework;
  Be aware of homework assignments and assist as needed;
  Make sure school materials are returned;
  Communicate with the teacher if there is a question about homework.

*The student shall:
  Make note of homework assignments;
  Inform the parent when an assignment is due;
  Complete homework neatly, accurately and on time;
  Bring appropriate materials home and return those materials to school on time;
  Ask the teacher for an explanation if an assignment is not understood.


Reporting Student Progress
Report cards are distributed three times a year. These dates will occur during the months of January, April and June. Although parent conferences occur only twice a year, a conference to discuss your child’s progress may be scheduled at any time with the teacher.

Instructional Supplies
Students are issued books and materials for their studies. They will be responsible for all books and materials entrusted to them. The cost of lost or damaged textbooks will be billed to the student’s family, in accordance with School District procedures.

Library
The goal of the library is to encourage all students to become excited about exploring the wonderful world of books, reading, and research. The program assists students in locating and using library information systems and emphasizes practical referencing and researching through the use of standard reference materials as well as electronic resources. The ultimate goal is to provide students the opportunity to gain experience in locating information and to encourage students to be self-directed, lifelong learners.

Study Trips
Classes often go on instructional study trips throughout the school year. A parent or guardian must provide signed, written permission to participate. Without authorized written permission the student is not permitted to participate. PHONE PERMISSION IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. Often times parents are asked to drive on a field trip. If you are driving on the field trip you must fill out a Private Vehicle Use Form and provide a copy of your insurance card that is carried in your car within 48 hours prior to the trip.

Standards of Excellence
At Hilltop Drive, we are committed to providing a quality education for our students. We feel that all children have the right to attend school and feel comfortable and safe. In order to provide an atmosphere, which is conducive to the best learning situation, we have developed a plan for positive behavior.

Our students are here to learn and our teachers are here to teach. When students choose inappropriate behaviors then the learning and teaching stops. Physical contact is not acceptable behavior at ANY time or for any reason. Please discuss the school rules with your child.

Discipline Policy
The following guidelines for Hilltop Drive discipline policy were created in accordance with CVESD Board Policy NO. 5131 (a) (b). In order to get along with others, one must respect other people and their property.

School Wide Standards
To ensure a safe, positive and rewarding educational experience we will:
1. 1. Listen and follow directions the first time
2. 2. Respect the rights and property of others
3. 3. Use safe conduct at all times
4. 4. Keep your hands, feet and objects to yourself

These rules apply on the way to school (even on the bus), at school, and on the way home. There will be times when children will test their boundaries and make inappropriate choices. In most cases a simple reminder is enough to redirect the students behavior. When this is not true, we attempt to handle each problem on an individual basis, keeping in mind each child’s special needs.



When a child has a problem:
The teacher will confer with the child regarding the inappropriate behavior and will remind the child of what is expected. An individual plan may be implemented to deal with reoccurring behavior. When these efforts are not successful, parents will be informed of the problem. Each teacher has a behavior management system in his or her classroom. Please be sure you understand what the rules, expectations, and consequences are in your child’s classroom.

If unacceptable behavior persists, the child will receive a referral and be sent to the office to talk with the principal. When a student receives a referral a copy of the referral will be sent home to be signed and must be returned the following day to the front office. Discipline may include having the child complete a Problem Solving sheet, performing some type of school service, or lunch/after school detention, or a school suspension.
When appropriate, conferences involving parents, teachers, principal and other school personnel will be held to formulate a plan to improve behavior.

Discipline Practices
Jack O’Connell, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, reminds us that discipline policies that stress correct behavior instead of only reprimands and punishment help students learn desirable behavior. Such policies include behavior contracts that stress mutual respect for students, teachers, and school staffs, and reinforce the concept that we all operate within expected codes of behavior.

******PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING SECTION TO YOUR CHILD******
School Dress
In order to provide a safe and orderly environment for our students, we must request that they be appropriately dressed at all times. The students and staff at Hilltop Drive expect everyone to have high standards of conduct and appearance. Clothing should be suitable and comfortable for normal school activities and should reflect respect, pride, and good standards of the student’s home and community. Our goal is to keep our students attention on learning and not on the clothes that they wear.

General clothing standards for all children require that closed-toed shoes must be worn at all times. The following should not be worn for reasons of health and safety.

Open toe shoes or sandals Sagging pants Baseball hats worn Spaghetti Straps (Two fingers wide) backwards
Dangling earrings Midriff shirts/blouses Short miniskirts Bandanas Shoes with wheels Shirts with inappropriate pictures or language

**Cell phones are not to be used on campus. Students who have cell phones must have them turned off and may only use them off campus.**

Safety Issues

Dismissal
School is dismissed at 2:55 p.m. everyday except Fridays when the students are released at 1:25. Upon dismissal from class, students are to leave the school grounds from designated exits. Students may not stay on school grounds unattended by an adult. They are to leave campus at dismissal time. Please take extreme care when picking up your child. Safety is our greatest concern.

The Safety Rules, which are to be followed by all students, are:
1. 1. Stop, Look, and Listen
2. 2. Cross ONLY at the crosswalk (especially on “J” and Hilltop)
3. 3. Walk, don’t run, in the crosswalks
4. 4. Do not cross the street between cars
5. 5. Do not follow toys into the street
6. 6. Never skateboard or play in the street



It is very important that students leave the campus promptly after school ends. Please make arrangements with your child for a meeting place at dismissal. Students who are not picked up by 3:05 should report to the school office. Parents will be called each occurrence. The office staff cannot be responsible for students left in the school office after hours. Students who are chronically picked up late from school impact the functioning of the school office tremendously.

Students who remain after school MUST be signed in at DASH or the YMCA. We do not provide after school supervision for students who are waiting for parents or siblings. Students are not allowed to remain after school and play unsupervised. Again, after school students will sign–in with Dash or leave school grounds.

Lost and Found
The lost and found is located on the playground. Please mark all belongings with your child’s full name and room number. All unclaimed articles remaining at the end of the year are donated to charitable organizations. Periodically we will display all the lost and found items in front of the school.

Health and Accident Procedures
In order to have any medications administered during the school day, it is required that the “Authorization for Medication” form be completed by you and your doctor and sent to the school nurse/health attendant. No medication will be given out without this completed form. The “Authorization for Medication Administration” form can be obtained at the school health office.

Administering Medication at School:
1. Children may not be given any kind of non-prescription medication at school unless he/she has a written statement from a physician.
2. Staff will take care of all minor injuries at school. In the event of a more serious injury, parents are always notified and requested to come to the school for their child. Names and phone numbers of those legally empowered to take charge of an injured child listed on the emergency card, in the event the parent cannot be reached, will be contacted to pick up the child.
3. Children too ill to participate in normal school activities should be excluded from school attendance whether or not the child has a fever.
4. A child with a temperature greater than 100 degrees should be excluded until the temperature is normal for at least 24 hours.
5. Children with persistent vomiting should be excluded from school until vomiting has stopped for at least 24 hours.
6. Children with a known or suspected contagious illness should be excluded from school.

School Visitation and Teacher Conferences

We welcome visits by parents at all times. We would suggest delaying your initial visit until after the first week of school so that you can see the regular program in operation. Letting a teacher know ahead of time regarding a visit can minimize the impact on classroom instruction. Conferencing with your child’s teacher and phone calls during class time are not allowed as it takes away from all of the students’ learning. Please make an appointment to meet with your child’s teacher during non-instructional time.

California State Law requires that all non-students and others without official business in a school building or on the school grounds must register in the school office. This means that all visitors to the school, including parents, must report to the office and sign in. A visitor tag will be issued when you sign in permitting you to remain on school grounds. Although this requirement may be an inconvenience, it was designed to maintain the security and safety of all children while in school.

Classroom Assignments
Every school in our district must abide by a formula consideration that controls how many teachers are assigned to a school. If enrollment goes up or down, we could either gain or lose a teacher. Any change in the total number of teachers assigned means a reorganization of present classes. All present class assignments are temporary and subject to change.
Class assignments are made by the classroom teacher, administration, and with input from the parents. The best interest of the student, his or her needs, is always the first priority when placing a student with a teacher. Classroom reassignments will be addressed after the third week of school.

Dynamic After School Hours – DASH Plus
The mission of DASH is to provide elementary school children with a variety of challenging, structured, recreational activities as well as homework and academic support, in a safe after-school setting. Activities are designed to foster teamwork, athletic skills, positive attitudes and self-esteem.

This free program provides structured after school activities for 1st – 6th grade children including sports clinics, traditional playground games, and homework support. The program runs for two and a half hours after the time of school dismissal, and three and a half hours on the modified day. As a reminder, Enrollment Cards are available the first day of school on a first-come first-served basis. Last year DASH accepted the first 75 applications.

Title 1
Hilltop has been designated as a Title 1 program school. A Title 1 school is identified by the number of students that participate in the Free and Reduced Lunch program. Currently 43% of our students participate in this program. We would like this number to be at least 50% so that we can continue to fund various academic support programs for all of our students. What this means for the school and your child is that our budget was increased by $90,000 dollars. That is twice our normal budget. Please take a moment to fill out the application. Even if you don’t think you are eligible you might be.
The students who receive the additional support of teachers and support personnel are identified by various assessments like the CST tests, Results and teacher checklists.


PARENT HANDBOOK
2005-2006
HILLTOP DRIVE ELEMENTARY
422-8323


Please sign and return this sheet to your child’s teacher.

I have read and discussed the information within the Parent Handbook with my child, including the Discipline Policy, Harassment, and Homework Policy.

Date Room
Student’s Signature
Parent’s Signature(s)












HILLTOP DRIVE HOME/SCHOOL
COMPACT FOR SUCCESS

The Hilltop School Community (students, staff, and parents) will create a physical, emotional and academic environment where:

STUDENTS...
•will be self-motivated, responsible participants.
•will develop confidence and pride in themselves and their work.
•will develop high academic and technological skills.
•will be creative problem solvers who are willing to take risks.
•will be goal-oriented achievers.
•will develop respect for themselves and others (both person and property)

STAFF...
•will support their students’ physical, emotional and academic growth.
•will be able to achieve their highest professional goals.
•will collaborate and focus on shared goals.

PARENTS AND COMMUNITY...
•will support their children’s physical, emotional, and academic growth
•will be partners, participants and communicators in the school community.

The Hilltop School Community will model and promote integrity, honesty,
compassion, fairness, and the highest ethical standards of the community.

As a PRINCIPAL I will be responsible for:
•Making literacy the top priority for Hilltop Elementary School
•Creating a welcoming environment for students and parents.
•Ensuring a safe and orderly learning environment.
•Showing courtesy and respect to others.
•Reinforcing the partnership between parent, student, and staff
•Acting as the instructional leader by supporting teachers in their classrooms.
•Providing appropriate professional growth opportunities for teachers.
•Encouraging parent involvement and education.

As a TEACHER I will be responsible for:
•Reading to my class daily and providing time for small reading groups.
•Teaching grade level skills and concepts using effective teaching strategies.
•Striving to address the individual needs of all students in my class.
•Showing courtesy and respect to others.
•Communicating frequently with parents regarding student progress.
•Encouraging parent involvement and education.
•Providing a safe, positive and health learning environment for the students.
•Correcting and returning student work in a timely manner.
•Communicating to students’ and parents’ expectations for homework, class
work, and behavior.
•Encouraging students to do their best.

As a PARENT I will be responsible for:
•Making education important in my home!
•Reading to my child daily.
•Sending my child to school ready to learn each day (plenty of sleep,
breakfast, positive attitude)
•Sending my child to school regularly and on time.
•Showing courtesy and respect to others.
•Providing necessary materials to support my child’s learning (for example:
dictionary, pencils, scissors).
•Reviewing my child’s homework daily.
•Attending parent/teacher conferences.
•Attending parent events and workshops.
•Reinforcing school and classroom rules.
•Listening to my child read daily.
•Having family sharing time.

As a STUDENT I will be responsible for:
•Reading at home and at school everyday.
•Coming to school with all necessary materials, for example: paper, folder
and homework.
•Completing all classroom and homework assignments to the best of my
ability.
•Showing courtesy and respect to others.
•Showing responsible behavior by following school rules.
•Sharing my classroom work with my parents.


___________________________
Parent


____________________________
Student


___________________________
Teacher


___________________________
Principal Date


We have read and understand the Hilltop Parent/School Compact.

PLEASE SIGN AND
RETURN TO SCHOOL!

HILLTOP DRIVE HOME/SCHOOL
COMPACT FOR SUCCESS

As a PRINCIPAL I will be responsible for:
•Making literacy the top priority for Hilltop Elementary School
•Creating a welcoming environment for students and parents.
•Ensuring a safe and orderly learning environment.
•Showing courtesy and respect to others.
•Reinforcing the partnership between parent, student, and staff
•Acting as the instructional leader by supporting teachers in their classrooms.
•Providing appropriate professional growth opportunities for teachers.
•Encouraging parent involvement and education.

As a TEACHER I will be responsible for:
•Reading to my class daily and providing time for daily small reading groups.
•Teaching grade level skills and concepts using effective teaching strategies.
•Striving to address the individual needs of all students in my class.
•Showing courtesy and respect to others.
•Communicating frequently with parents regarding student progress.
•Encouraging parent involvement and education.
•Providing a safe, positive and health learning environment for the students.
•Correcting and returning student work in a timely manner.
•Communicating to students and parents expectations for homework, class
work, and behavior.
•Encouraging students to do their best.

As a PARENT I will be responsible for:
•Making education important in my home!
•Reading to my child daily.
•Sending my child to school ready to learn each day (plenty of sleep,
breakfast, positive attitude)
•Sending my child to school regularly and on time.
•Showing courtesy and respect to others.
•Providing necessary materials to support my child’s learning (for example:
dictionary, pencils, scissors).
•Reviewing my child’s homework daily.
•Attending parent/teacher conferences.
•Attending parent events and workshops.
•Reinforcing school and classroom rules.
•Listening to my child read daily.
•Having family sharing time.

As a STUDENT I will be responsible for:
•Reading at home and at school everyday.
•Coming to school with all necessary materials, for example: paper, folder
and homework.
•Completing all classroom and homework assignments to the best of my
ability.
•Showing courtesy and respect to others.
•Showing responsible behavior by following school rules.
•Sharing my classroom work with my parents.