OFFICE HOURS

Rice  Elementary office is open 7:45 am - 4:15 pm.

LIBRARY HOURS

Daily 8:00 am - 2:30 pm.

SCHOOL HOURS

Please do not drop off children prior to 7:50 am and

please pick up students promptly after school.

BELL SCHEDULE

• 7:50 Breakfast/ Students enter campus
• 8:05 Students walk to playground
• 8:17 All students’ line up
• 8:20 Class begins (Students must be in class)

• 10:00 Recess begins - primary
• 10:15 Recess ends - primary
• 10:30 Recess begins - upper
• 10:45 Recess ends - upper

• 11:30 - 12:14 TK, K, 1st & 2nd grades lunch
• 11:52 - 12:36 3rd & 4th grades lunch
• 12:36 - 12:58 5th & 6th grades lunch
  

• 2:35 Dismissal

EARLY DISMISSAL WEDNESDAYS

• 1:35 Dismissal

ARRIVAL and DEPARTURE FROM SCHOOL

Immediately upon arriving at school by car or walking, students are to pass through the gates and onto the main campus. They are to remain on campus until the close of school. LOITERING is not permitted anywhere on the way to or from school.

Parents: Please do not drive in to drop off or pick- up students in parking lot. Please use crosswalk.

VISITORS

Student visitors are not allowed on campus during the school day. Adult visitors must check in with the office immediately upon arriving on campus, show a valid ID, and wear the visitor sticker at all times. All visitors are expected to leave promptly when their business is completed.

ATTENDANCE

Regular attendance is one of the most important requirements for a successful school year. All students are required to attend school daily on time according to California State Law. The only exceptions for absence from school are personal illness, medical necessity, funeral service for a member of the immediate family, court subpoena, or family emergency (over which there is no control). When absent, please call school as soon as possible at (626) 307-3348. Students MUST bring a note from their parent or legal guardian confirming absence or student will be considered unexcused.

APPOINTMENTS

Medical /dental appointments should be scheduled for after school. Parents MUST come to the Office to sign students out for medical, dental, or other appointments that require students to leave school. Students must return with a note from the doctor.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS OR PHONE NUMBER

Students who move or change telephone numbers must inform the office immediately. For emergency reasons it is important to keep information up to date.

DRESS CODE

Rice Elementary students will follow the Garvey School District Mandatory Uniform Policy.

Navy blue trousers or jeans, skirts, shorts, or jumpers. White or light blue shirts with collars are standard.

• Mondays - NEU shirts
• Wednesdays - Red Rice Spirit shirt
• Fridays - College shirts

VOLUNTEER

Make our school a better place. Get involved in your child's education. BE A VOLUNTEER!

EMERGENCY BELL SUMMARY

• A single 5 second bell………………Regular Bell
• A single 1 minute bell………….Lock Down Drill
• A series of 3 or 4 rings each………Evacuation
• A single 30 second bell………………..All Clear

EARTHQUAKE

In the event of an earthquake, students should immediately find shelter beneath their desk or other protective covering and protect the back of their neck with their arms and hands. Remain in this position until appropriate school personnel have announced an ALL-CLEAR call. Books are to be left in the classroom. No talking or running in the course of a drill situation.

FIRE DRILL

In the case of a fire or other emergency, the signal to evacuate the building will be intermittent sounding of the fire bell. There is an evacuation plan posted in each classroom. Teachers will instruct students regarding specific procedures and necessary safety precautions. No talking or running in the course of a drill situation.

TEXTBOOKS

All textbooks are loaned to students for their use during the school year. Students and their parents are financially responsible for all books and supplies issued to them. Textbooks are to be handled carefully, kept covered at all times, and clean of stray marks or graffiti. If any textbook is damaged, lost or stolen, the responsibility for replacement and/or assessed fees for amount of damage belong to the students and/or child's parent or guardian.

STUDENT LAPTOPS

Laptops are to be handled carefully and responsibly.  All students and their parents need to sign the technology responsibility agreement form before using laptops. Students that use laptops inappropriately will lose the privilege of using school laptops.

STUDENT PLEDGE

I understand that my education is important.  I realize that I am the one responsible for my own success.  The knowledge that I acquire in school will help me accomplish my goals for the future.  Therefore I will:

• Come to school daily, on time, and ready to learn.
• Follow school and classroom rules.
• Complete and turn in classroom assignments and homework on time.
• Have respect for myself and others.
• Maintain confidence for myself and others.
• Use and practice the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

PARENT PLEDGE

As a parent, I understand that participating in my child’s education will help my child succeed in school.  Therefore I will:

• Create a positive home environment, and provide a place and time for my child to do homework.
• Ensure that my child gets adequate sleep and rest, comes to school on time, and is clean and ready to learn every day.
• Build positive esteem in my child and praise him/ her for his/ her efforts, and accomplishments.
• Teach him/ her respect for others by being a good model.
• Show an interest in my child’s learning activities at school by participating in the classroom, school meetings, and required parent conferences.
• Read 20 minutes a day to my child.
• Supervise the programs my child watches on television and on the internet.

STAFF PLEDGE

I understand the importance of the school experience to every student and my responsibility as an educator and positive role model.  Therefore I will:

• Provide an orderly, supportive environment for learning basic skills.
• Communicate with parents regarding student progress and support strategies.
• Assist parents by providing information and materials regarding student goals and basic skills acquisition.
• Strive to be fair and understanding of cultural and linguistic diversity.
• Provide students with a balanced curriculum rich in critical thinking and problem-solving skills; and promote lifelong learning.
• Integrate, practice, and model the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

THE 7 HABITS OF HAPPY KIDS

• Habit 1 - Be Proactive (You’re in Charge)
• Habit 2 - Begin With the End in Mind (Have a Plan)
• Habit 3 - Put First Things First (Work First, Then Play)
• Habit 4 - Think Win- Win (Everyone Can Win)
• Habit 5 - Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood (Listen Before You Talk)
• Habit 6 - Synergize (Together is Better)
• Habit 7 - Sharpen the Saw (Balance Feels Best)

SCHOOL AND CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

• Be Safe
• Be Respectful
• Be Responsible

SHINING STAR NOTES

Shining Star Recognition Notes are given to recognize students who display exceptional behavior under the expected behaviors listed on our School Wide Behavior Matrix and Classroom Matrix.  This is used as a positive motivational strategy.  The purpose of the SHINING STAR notes are to recognize the students who make the right behavior choices in their academic and social life at school.  These students serve as positive role models for their peers.

SHINING STARs will be placed in a raffle box during the monthly Leader In Me assemblies.  Seven stars will be drawn at the assembly and students will be recognized and given a prize.

OFFICE DISCIPLINE REFERRAL (ODR)

ODRs are used to record and evaluate student behavior and to better understand the behavior climate of our school. Students with 2 or more ODRs per month will not participate in the monthly School Wide Celebration.  Students with 5 or more ODRs throughout the year will not participate in the Year End School Wide Celebration.

FUNDRAISING

Fundraising projects are necessary and provide more educational opportunities and supplies, which enhance our educational programs. Rice is thankful that many of our students’ families participate in our fundraising activities.

PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION (PTA)

PTA invites you to join us to make a difference in the education and quality of life for all children, especially your child(ren). We realize how important your children are to you. Our PTA can help you achieve that. We all know children learn more and have better lives when parents, faculty, school staff, students and the community work together. We meet monthly and encourage your participation at any of our meetings. You can join the Rice Elementary PTA by simply returning the membership dues in the envelope provided by the teachers. We make a difference. Please feel free to contact the PTA through the school office.

THE RICE SCHOOL WAY

• Be Respectful
• Live the 7 Habits
• Accept Responsibility
• Show Determination
• Take Risks