Student Handbook
2017 – 2018
16229 Duggans Road
Grass Valley, CA95949
530.268.9990
Fax: 530.268.0613
The mission of SierraMontessori Academy
is to educate K-8 students of the Sierra Foothills through a self-motivating, individualized, and comprehensive Montessori education. Students will engage in critical thinking, be creative, show respect for self and others, and ultimately become competent, responsible citizens who are life-long learners and skillful problem-solvers.
Dear Charter Families,
Welcome to the 2017-2018 school year! I am looking forward to a wonderful year of learning and working together.
As we begin this new school year, we ask you to review this important handbook that has been especially prepared for SMA students and parents. It contains pertinent information about SMA as well as our expectations for students and parents that are part of our school. Please take time to discuss the contents of this handbook and then save it for handy reference later.
The Code of Conduct section of this handbook addresses the behavioral expectations that we have for all of our students. Each year these expectations are reviewed with all students at the beginning of the year. This, too, is important information to reinforce with your children. This will be another exciting year for our students and staff here at SMA. Remember, we welcome volunteers on our campus as they assist us in a number of very important endeavors. Together, we can achieve great things for our students.
Your children are the most important asset in our school community. We take this commitment seriously. I look forward to working with the teachers in order to support your child by providing an enriching, engaging, and rigorous academic experience.
Your thoughts and questions are always welcome so please feel free to call (530-268-9990) or email () me any time.
Sincerely,
Henry Bietz
Director, SierraMontessoriAcademy
Sierra Montessori Academy
16229 Duggans Road
Grass Valley, CA95949
530.268.9990
Fax: 530.268.0613
Executive Director
Henry Bietz
Administrative Assistant / Business Manager
Pam Hemminger
Office Administrative Assistant / Enrollment Clerk
Sarah Seward
After Care
Peggy Lee
Nevada County Charter Co-Operative
128 New Mohawk Drive
Nevada City, CA 95959
530.470.8510
School Hours
Office Hours / Lunch / Classroom HoursMonday— Friday
8:00 AM to 4:00PM / Kind - 3rd grades
11:45AM to 12:25PM
4th -5th grades
12:05PM to 12:45PM
6th, 7th, & 8thgrades
12:25 PM to 1:05PM / Grades Kind – 3rd
8:30 AM to 2:30PM
Grades 4th - 8th
8:30 AM - 2:45 PM
Minimum Days
Grades K – 3
8:30 AM - 1:30PM
Grades 4th - 8th
8:30 AM - 1:45 PM
CULTURE OF UNIVERSAL ACHIEVEMENT
One Focused School Goal
In order to be college ready, all students will meet or exceed grade level standards in ELA and math while developing habits of mind, including critical thinking skills and good study habits.
Core Belief Among All Staff
All children can learn at high levels, and it is OUR responsibility to ensure that they do.
Safe and Orderly Environment
High Expectations for Staff and Students
School Climate Conducive to Learning
Parent Involvement
Collective Commitments
21st Century Learning
We believe in providing an instructional program that cultivates an understanding and practice of civic responsibility.
We value a rich curriculum which stimulates interests and intellectual curiosity.
We believe it is our responsibility to prepare our students to become creativeproblem solvers who can be flexible and adapt to a changing world.
We value and believe it is our responsibility to provide opportunities fortechnological advancement.
Value Diversity
We believe our children should be valued and respected for their individual giftsand diversity.
We believe that all of our students deserve to be recognized for his or herefforts as well as his or her accomplishments and achievements.
Climate
We believe our school should be a safe and secure environment.
We are committed to providing an environment for all children that promotes self-esteem and self-worth.
We are committed to an environment that promotes mutual respect, honesty,integrity, and good citizenship.
We value a teaching environment that respects each individual’s learning styles and developmental needs.
We believe that learning should be enjoyable and that life-long learning should be a goal for every person.
Teamwork
We value collaborative and integrated relationships between our school and greater community.
We are committed to collaboration and teamwork
Assessments
We are committed to administer specific assessments throughout the school year. We believe that careful follow through on these assessments and goalswithin this plan will result in high achievement for all students.
We will share assessment information with our students and parents which will encourage student participation through the development of individual goals.
Character CountsatSMA
Trustworthiness
Always tell the truth • Admit your mistakes • Do your own work • Be reliable – do what you say you’ll do • Have the courage to do the right thing • Build a good reputation • Be loyal – stand by your family, friends, and country
Respect
Use only kind words and action • Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself • Respect all adults • Follow the Golden Rule • Be tolerant of differences • Be considerate of the feelings of others • Don’t threaten, hit or hurt anyone • Deal peacefully with anger, insults, and disagreements
Responsibility
Always do your best • Use self control; be self-disciplined • Think before you act –consider the consequences • Be accountable for your choices • Stay in assigned areas •Be prepared • Be on time
Fairness
Play by the rules • Take turns and share • Be open-minded; listen to others • Don’t blame others carelessly
Caring
Be kind • Be compassionate and show you care • Express gratitude • Forgive others •Help people in need
Citizenship
Do your share to make your school and community better • Cooperate • Obey laws and rules • Respect authority • Protect the environment
GENERAL INFORMATION
DAILY SCHEDULE / Regular School Day / Minimum DaysGrades K-3
Playground opens
School Begins
Dismissal / 8:00 a.m.
8:30 a.m.
2:30 p.m. / 8:00 a.m.
8:30 a.m.
1:30 p.m.
Grades 4-8
Playground opens
School Begins
Dismissal / 8:00 a.m.
8:30 a.m.
2.45 p.m. / 8:00 a.m.
8:30 a.m.
1:45 p.m.
SCHOOL HOURS: The office is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The playground opens for students at 8:00 a.m. There is no playground supervision for students after school. Students are expected to go home when school is released unless they attend after school care. For more information about our after school care program, contact Pam or Sarah in the office.
ATTENDANCE: As a public school, SMA is required by law to enforce California’s compulsory attendance laws. Attendance is VITAL to your child’s success in school. State-approved “excused” absences include: illness, medical appointments, religious holidays, religious ceremoniesand bereavement purposes. Pretty much everything else is considered an “unexcused” absence. Parents of students with more than (3) unexcused absences may receive Truancy warning letters from the CountySuperintendent of Schools.
If your child is going to be absent, please call the office at 268-9990, during business hours, after business hours, please call and leave a message or you can send an email to explaining the absence or you can write a note explaining the absence.
SierraMontessoriAcademy is a public school and although exempt from many of the Title V Education Code, attendance is not one of them. I have included the various education codes which apply to attendance for your reference.
Attendance Education Code Sections:
48200. Each person between the ages of 6 and 18 years not exempted under the provisions of this chapter or Chapter 3 (commencing withSection 48400) is subject to compulsory full-time education. Each person subject to compulsory full-time education and each person subject to compulsory continuation education not exempted under the provisions of Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 48400) shall attend the public full-time day school or continuation school or classes and for the full time designated as the length of the school day by the governing board of the school district in which the residency of either the parent or legal guardian is located and each parent, guardian, or other person having control or charge of the pupil shall send the pupil to the public full-time day school or continuation school or classes and for the full time designated as the length of the school day by the governing board of the school district in which the residence of either the parent or legal guardian is located. Unless otherwise provided for in this code, a pupil shall not be enrolled for less than the minimum school day established by law.
48205. (a) Notwithstanding Section 48200, a pupil shall be excused from school when the absence is:
- Due to his or her illness.
- Due to quarantine under the direction of a county or city health officer.
- For the purpose of having medical, dental, optometrical, or chiropractic services rendered.
- For the purpose of attending the funeral services of a member of his or her immediate family, so long as the absence is not more than one day if the service is conducted in California and not more than three days if the service is conducted outside California.
- For the purpose of jury duty in the manner provided for by law.
- Due to the illness or medical appointment during school hours of a child of whom the pupil is the custodial parent.
- For justifiable personal reasons, including, but not limited to, an appearance in court, attendance at a funeral service, observance of a holiday or ceremony of his or her religion, attendance at religious retreats, attendance at an employment conference, or attendance at an educational conference on the legislative or judicial process offered by a nonprofit organization when the pupil's absence is requested in writing by the parent or guardian and approved by the principal or a designated representative pursuant to uniform standards established by the governing board.
- For the purpose of serving as a member of a precinct board foran election pursuant to Section 12302 of the Elections Code.
48260. (a) Any pupil subject to compulsory full-time education orto compulsory continuation education who is absent from schoolwithout valid excuse three full days in one school year or tardy orabsent for more than any 30-minute period during the schooldaywithout a valid excuse on three occasions in one school year, or anycombination thereof, is a truant and shall be reported to theattendance supervisor or to the superintendent of the schooldistrict.
48260.5.Upon a pupil's initial classification as a truant, theschool district shall notify the pupil's parent or guardian, byfirst-class mail or other reasonable means, of the following:
- That the pupil is truant.
- That the parent or guardian is obligated to compel the attendance of the pupil at school.
- That parents or guardians who fail to meet this obligation may be guilty of an infraction and subject to prosecution pursuant toArticle 6 (commencing with Section 48290) of Chapter 2 of Part 27.
- That alternative educational programs are available in thedistrict.
- That the parent or guardian has the right to meet with appropriate school personnel to discuss solutions to the pupil'struancy.
- That the pupil may be subject to prosecution under Section48264.
- That the pupil may be subject to suspension, restriction, or delay of the pupil's driving privilege pursuant to Section 13202.7 ofthe Vehicle Code.
- That it is recommended that the parent or guardian accompanythe pupil to school and attend classes with the pupil for one day.
TARDIES: Like absences, tardies affect classroom learning time and should be avoided. Students who are late to school must check in through the office. Medical appointments are considered excused tardies. All other tardies are unexcused. Tardies in excess of 30 minutes are also a part of the state’s compulsory attendance law. Students with more than (3) unexcused tardies may receive Truancy warning letters.
APPOINTMENTS: A student who needs to leave school during the day for an appointment must be checked out in the office by the parent or legal guardian. If they return during the same day, they must also check back in with the office. To reduce loss of class time, it is helpful to schedule appointments before or after school. Please send a note with your child, for the teacher, stating the time they will be checked out.
INDEPENDENT STUDY:If you know your child is going to be absent from school in advance, or if it becomes apparent that your student will have a prolonged absence, please consider enrolling in SMA’s Independent Study program. This program has the benefit of keeping your student up to date on school work, and maintaining a good attendance record. Attendance is important for the student’s education and the records and finances of the school. For more information about Independent Study, please call the office. Teachers require enough time to prepare the packets to meet the needs of your child and so a two week notice is requested when possible.
EARLY-RELEASE: If your child needs to leave school early, an adult authorized to pick-up the child must sign the child out at the front office. At that time an SMA staff member will call the classroom and have them sent to the front office. If you have an appointment and would like your child to be ready when you arrive, call the office at lease 30 minutes before you arrive to be sure we can accommodate your request.
Good school attendance is important to the educational and social development of your child. Your child is expected to arrive on time and attend school daily.
CELL PHONES/OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES:Board approved August 9, 2016
Bringing cell phones and other electronic devices to school is discouraged due to possible loss or damage. The school and staff assume no responsibility for these items. Cell phones and other electronics devices must be turned off during the school day, 8:30 a.m. until the dismissal bell.
These items can never be used during the school day for communicating, including texting, making/receiving calls, or posting without permission. Video and photo functions shall not be used and the content in cell phones and other electronic devices cannot be shared with other students.
In addition, the privilege of bringing a cell phone or electronic device to school gives the school the implicit right to conduct a search of the device if there is reasonable suspicion that a student has violated District policy/regulation or the law.
Students may use their cell phone or electronic device for school related activities when explicitly approved by a staff member.
Cell phones and other devices that are seen, including in pockets and pouches, or heard during the school day will be confiscated.
The confiscated item will be held in the office. On the first offense, the student may pick-up the device after school. The second violation will require the parent to pick-up the device. Repeated violations may result in the device being held equal to the number of violations and may eventually result in the revocation of the privilege to possess cell phones and/or electronic device at school. Students who refuse to surrender their device to a staff member will be considered defiant/non-compliant and will be assessed in consideration of additional consequences.
EMERGENCY DRILLS:Once a month students participate in a fire, duck and cover,and/or lock down drill. Procedures and practices are taught to all students and reviewedregularly in order to ensure their safety should a disaster occur. Should it becomenecessary to release students from school, only the persons whose names are listed onthe Student Registration Form are allowed to take students. Please be sure your child’sform is current.
LOST AND FOUND:Parents should clearly mark students’ names on clothing, lunches, backpacks, and other items. If an item of clothing is lost, students or parentsshould periodically check the lost and found. Unclaimed items are donated to a local charity. Please remember, the loss or damage to anything brought to school, remains the responsibility of students and parents.
PERSONAL PROPERTY: Please Label Everything(jackets, sweaters, raincoats, umbrellas, sweatshirts, backpacks, lunch boxes, etc…) your student brings to school with his or her last name. Unclaimed items will sit in our lost and found. Unclaimed property will be donated to charity at mid-year and at the end of the school year.
Toys are not allowed at school without permission from student’s teacher. Please be sure that all toys, stuffed animals, tablets, electronic games, and equipment remain at home.
Remember that SMA assumes no liability for any items lost, stolen or damaged.
TELEPHONE USE: Students are allowed to use the office telephone in emergencysituations only. Personal phone calls for forgotten items or after school arrangementswill not be permitted.
SCHOOL LUNCHES:Students may either bring a lunch to school or purchase a lunch in the cafeteria. Keep in mind that sandwiches, fruit, and a water bottle are much healthier than a lunch packed with sweets. Lunches should have the student’s name on the outside of the sackor lunch box.
Hot lunches must be purchased daily or paid for in advance by cash or acheck payable to SMA. Lunches may also be paid for at SMA’s website using paypal.It is theparents’ responsibility to keep track of the balance. Any unused money is carried overat the end of the year, or refunded on request. Lunch menus are published monthly. There will be copies in the office, and theycan be printed online at or at Check your monthly menu for upcomingspecial events, treats, and nutritional news. Free or reduced price lunches are availableto qualifying families. To be eligible, you must complete a confidential application form available atthe school office. Applications are accepted throughout the school year.
School Lunch (includes milk*) $3.50
SchoolBreakfast (includes milk*)$2.50
Milk (white or chocolate) .50
Extended Student Services: SMA provides an after school childcare program, the cost for this serviceis $5.00 if picked up by 4:30, and $7.50 if picked up between 4:30 and 5:30.Aftercare is open from 2:30PM to 5:30PM. All SMA students may usethis service. Students who are not picked up within15 minutes of release time are automatically sent to aftercare. Fees can be paid in cash, check, or on our website with PayPal.
EMERGENCY CARDS:Emergency Information Card and Medical Treatment Authorization must be on file in the office. This card should have all parent work telephone numbers, cell numbers, and authorized emergency contacts listed. Please make the emergency contacts aware that you are naming them as such. Please return updated information cards by the end of the first week.