Handbook

Attendance

For detailed District Attendance Policies please visit the District Attendance Department website.

Students are expected to be in attendance on the first day of school. If a student is absent on the first day of school, the parent/guardian must contact the school as soon as possible to report the reason for the absence. Extended family vacation/travel is considered an unexcused absence.The District will not hold a student’s seat at a school after a ten-day absence, with or without a Short-term independent study contract, without pre-approval due to extenuating circumstances. On the first day of school and each day after, students will line up outside their classroom teacher's door. The student arrival window is between 8:00 and 8:15 daily, with instruction starting promptly at 8:15.

Report Absence or Delay

If your child will be absent or late for school, you must report the absence/partial absence. You may submit THIS FORM to notify the office or call the Attendance Line at 408-257-9282, ext 6. before 8:15 am. The Attendance Line is a 24-hour line.

When you call:

State your child’s name, spelling the last name
State the teacher’s name and the classroom number
State the date(s) of absence. For a partial day absence, please indicate the reason for the delay and when your child will arrive at school. If a child is too sick to be in school at the start of school, then the student needs to stay home for the whole day.
State a brief reason for the absence (illness, medical, dental, etc.) If a reason is not given, the absence will be marked unexcused.
State if you want to pick up homework after school.
Leave a telephone number where you can be reached in case the office has a question.
Students need a doctor’s note if they need to be excused from PE.

If your student’s absence is not called in to the absence line on the day of the absence, the absence will be marked as UNEXCUSED .

Absence

An absence is defined as not attending class. There are two types of absences: EXCUSED and UNEXCUSED. An absence is excused if it is for one of the following reasons:

Illness or injury.
Medical appointment with a doctor’s note .
Bereavement for a family member.
Court appearances.
Observance of a religious holiday (4 hours/semester)
Attendance of a religious retreat.
Attendance of a funeral or memorial service.

Most absences due to reasons other than those listed above are considered unexcused, including personal vacation days. However, extenuating circumstances will be handled on an individual basis by the principal.

Delay

A delay is defined as coming to school after the 8:00 a.m. bell has rung. Any student arriving after the 8:00 a.m. bell must obtain a late slip from the school office before entering the classroom. Delays create a disruption in the classroom, and cause students to miss valuable instructional time. If the student is delayed due to a medical or dental appointment parents need to provide documentation from the physician verifying the appointment or the delay will be marked as unexcused delay or tardy.

Truancy and Tardiness

State Law requires the District to consider a student truant and mail a letter to the parents when their child “…is absent from school without valid excuse three (3) full days in one year or tardy or absent for more than one thirty (30) minute period during the school day without a valid excuse on three (3) occasions in one school year or any combination thereof…” Truancy is not a matter to be taken lightly. As a parent, the law says that you are obligated to compel the regular, on-time attendance of your child at school. Personal vacation days (those not set by the district) are considered unexcused absences. If truancy persists, a referral will be made to the district School Attendance Review Board (SARB).

Medical and Dental Appointments

When possible, please make appointments before or after school hours or on days when school is not in session. When this is not possible and you need to take your child out during school hours, you must come to the office to sign your child out. If your child will return to school after the appointment, you (not your child) must sign him/her in at the office. If your child will be late for school due to medical/dental appointments, you will need to call in the partial absence to the 24-hour Attendance Line before 8:00 a.m. and bring a note from the doctor/dentist. A doctor’s note is required on the student’s return to school.

Campus Policies

Animals on Campus

California Education Code Section 32210, California Penal Code Section 626.8 and CUSD Policy, Administrative Regulation 330, stipulate that animals (e.g. horses, dogs, cats) are NOT allowed on school grounds, as posted on the metal signs located on the school grounds. Any animal, however, that is necessary under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 will be allowed.

Closed Campus

Blue Hills offers a closed campus for the security of our students and staff. Students may not leave the school campus during school hours. The parking lot is off limits to the students after the first bell of the day.

If you need to pick up your child before the normal dismissal time, you must sign him/her out in the office. No child will be released without the appropriate office sign-out.

Campus Visitors

Change of Address/Telephone Number

Please notify the office immediately of any changes in address, telephone numbers, emergency pick-up contacts, etc. District policy states change of residence must be reported to the school office within (10) days . Failure to provide current residency information could result in the withdrawal of your child. In the event of an emergency, it is imperative that the school be able to contact you quickly.

Communication with Home

We keep parents informed about our programs, special events, and other newsworthy items via our website, ParentSquare, social media, teachers’ emails/newsletters, and CUSD publications. Friday is set aside for sending schoolwork and such notices home in the Bobcat Friday Folder. We encourage parents to take time to read their children’s Friday Folders. Your interest shows your child that you care about what is happening at school. If you have any questions or comments about the notices that we send home, please feel free to contact the office.

Field Trips

Teachers schedule field trips as extension activities to the curriculum. The admission and transportation costs of these field trips are calculated using the total number of students in a class or grade level and must be paid in advance. Refunds cannot be issued due to a student’s illness or absence on the date of the field trip. Please know that the voluntary donation is not required to participate, yet insufficient funding may result in a cancellation of the field trip.

Make all checks payable to Blue Hills School. Remember to write the student’s name and teacher or room number on the check. No student will be excluded due to his/her family’s inability to pay for the cost of the field trip. Contact the office for financial assistance.

Health Services

The school nurse is not at school daily, but various times throughout the week, and on an on-call basis. The office staff is trained to provide first aid. Illness and injury that occurs at home should not be referred to the school for care. We will send home a notice if your child has been exposed to a contagious illness (e.g. lice, pink eye) in the classroom.

Illness

A child should not be in school when she/he has:

Undiagnosed rash
Nausea or vomiting, or has vomited during the night, even if you suspect food poisoning
Diarrhea – even if you suspect food poisoning
Severe headache or migraine
Frequent coughing
Evidence of a communicable disease such as a rash, swelling or unusual sores
Undiagnosed fever of 100 degrees or higher
Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
Runny nose with copious discharge or severe congestion
Complaints of feeling ill when she/he was home the day before or felt ill before coming to school
If a child has had a fever, she/he may not return to school until it has been normal for 24 hours without the use of medicine

If your child develops a new medical condition or requires special arrangements or medications during the school day, it is important to let the school and the school nurse know immediately. If a condition exists that could lead to a medical emergency, the school nurse will develop an Individualized School Healthcare Plan.

Injuries

Students injured while at school are cared for in the following ways:

A teacher may inspect the injury and may keep the student under observation and apply light first aid in the classroom.
For a more serious injury, the student is sent to the office for first aid. The student’s name and action taken are recorded. The office staff, who are American Red Cross certified, will perform first aid.
If a student receives a head injury, his/her parent is notified of the incident whether it appears serious or not.

If there is a severe accident, including a deep cut, possible fracture or dislocation, or any accident requiring immediate medical attention, the parent will be notified and asked to pick up their child. In emergency cases, the paramedics (911) will also be called. No student will be sent home until the parent is contacted and plans are made for transportation. Transportation is the responsibility of the parent.

Medication

California Education Code Section 49423 allows the school nurse or other designated school personnel to assist students who need to take medication during the school day. This service is provided to enable the student to remain in school to maintain the continuity of learning.

To use this service, the parents and the child’s physician need to sign a Medication Authorization Form, which is to be kept on file in the School Office. The Medical Authorization is valid for one school year.

All medication prescriptions must be current and supplied in original prescription bottles with the pharmacy labels attached. Ask your pharmacist to divide the medication into two bottles completely labeled, one for home and one for school. The medication must be prescribed to the student to whom it will be administered.

Students are not allowed to bring medicine to school. No medications, including over-the-counter medications, will be administered at school without a signed Medication Authorization Form. Parents must pick up all medication from the School Office at the end of the school year. Any medication not picked up at the end of the school year will be discarded.

Hearing/Vision Screening

Hearing

All SDC, 1st , 2nd and 5th grade students will have a hearing screening in small groups by a credentialed audiometrist. Each child wears a pair of earphones to listen to tones of varying frequencies. If a student is unable to pass the group screening, she/he is then re-checked individually. Should a possible hearing problem be discovered, the school nurse will notify parents.

Vision

All SDC, Kindergarten, 2nd , and 5th grade students will have a vision screening. Parents of any students whom the school nurse deems as needing medical follow-up will be notified.

Homework Policy

Blue Hills' approach to homework stems from the belief that all children need a balanced lifestyle in order to be happy and successful individuals. We believe that whole-child education is essential for academic growth, social-emotional development, and overall health and wellness. In addition to schoolwork and academics, children should have daily time set aside for Playtime, Downtime and Family Time. In order to achieve this balance, Blue Hills has worked to minimize homework so that students may make space in their day for all of these very important pieces of early learning.

Based on extensive research and their own experiences, the staff at Blue Hills have decided to modify current homework practices. Teachers will not be sending home weekly homework packets to be returned and graded. Instead of assigned homework, there will be an expectation to read nightly by every Blue Hills student. Additionally, teachers may assign their class occasional short or long term projects and may assign children work based on students' individual needs. There may be times when additional content area practice is beneficial, however your child's teacher will guide your student and family on recommending what is most appropriate. Any work that is completed at home will not be turned in or graded.

Studies clearly show that young students benefit greatly from reading nightly, being read to, and picking books of interest to them. In addition to reading, each grade level will provide a bank of optional resources to their families. Teachers will be sharing these resources directly with families at the start of the school year via ParentSquare, Google Classroom and/or classroom email communication. In this way, all Blue Hills students will have access to practice different curriculum at home if they wish, however, these activities will not be turned for grading.

Families may read more about Playtime, Downtime and Family Time in this article from Stanford University's Challenge Success: Playtime, Downtime and Family Time: PDF for Elementary-Aged Kids, Common-sense Strategies for Promoting Children's Health and Well-Being

CUSD's Strategic Plan which focuses on relevant and rigorous instruction, personalized learning, and whole-child education.

Leaving Blue Hills

Liability

Library

Students may use the school library for research or to check out books according to the following rules:

Kindergarten and 1st grade students are allowed to check out one book each week.
2nd grade students are allowed to check out two books each week.
3rd grade students are allowed to check out three books each week.
4th and 5th grade students may check out four books each week.

Single renewals are allowed on all items. Fines are not levied on overdue books. However, students with overdue library books lose their library book checkout privilege until the late items are returned. See the section on Textbook and Library Book Policy regarding lost or destroyed books.

Lunch and Nutrition

Due to increased rates of childhood obesity and diabetes, federal and state laws require school districts with a federally funded meal program to implement wellness policies, which address nutrition. Food served during the school day and for school activities must meet the required nutritional standards. Food allergies and dietary restrictions also need to be accommodated.

Classroom celebrations (holiday parties) will follow the district guidelines on health and serving nutritious foods.
If a parent would like to share the child’s birthday with the class, instead of food treats, alternate choices will be communicated by the teacher. We no longer allow students to bring food to celebrate birthdays so please make other arrangements, if anything at all.
Students are not allowed to share food with other students due to food allergies and dietary restrictions.

Dropping off Lunches

If you are dropping off a lunch for your child, please bring it to the office (not the classroom) no later than 11:15 a.m. This will help minimize interruptions to classroom instruction. Make sure that you clearly mark your child’s name and room number on the lunch and place it on the lunch cart located outside the front office. Students must pick up their own lunch from the lunch cart in the office for the occasional forgotten lunch. The lunch cart is not intended for daily lunch drop-offs. Please send your child to school prepared for the day.

hot lunch program

The school provides hot lunches to students for a reasonable cost. Hot lunches are subsidized by the state: therefore they must be consumed on campus unless they are going to Champions or an on-site after school program at Blue Hills. Parents may use the blue lunch envelopes (which are available in the office), or the online system, to send checks/cash to prepay for their students’ hot lunches. Free or reduced priced lunches are available to those students who qualify. Contact the school office for details.

We receive hot lunches from a central kitchen. In order for the computerized lunch system to work well, parents must send pre-payment envelopes to the office by 10:00 a.m. on the day for which you wish your child to receive a school lunch. Each student is assigned a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to use to purchase hot lunch, milk and/or juice. Any account balances in the current year will be applied toward the following year as long as the child stays in a CUSD school, or parents can request a refund. To find out your child’s account balance, please use the online system, or contact our cafeteria at extension 62132: 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Lunches are to be eaten at the picnic tables, benches, and designated floor seating areas. Parents/visitors may not sit at the lunch tables to eat with or feed their child. No food is allowed on the playground or field. Students must remain seated at the picnic tables until the dismissed by a yard duty or BH Staff member.

Parent Observations (current parents ONLY)

We have established the following parent observation guidelines in an effort to maintain uninterrupted instruction while you observe in the classroom:

Parents must call the office or email the principal in advance to schedule an observation appointment in their child’s classroom.
On the day of the observation, parents must first check in at the office.
Observations are for parents in their child’s classroom only and are scheduled for 20 minutes. Only one parent (no children) can observe in the classroom at any given time. Please be prompt, as tardiness will cut into the scheduled observation time.
Upon arrival in the classroom, please refrain from engaging in conversation with the teacher, instructional assistant or students. Remember that instruction is on-going throughout the observation. The students’ papers and the teacher’s grade book are confidential.

Parent/Teacher Goal Setting Conference

The Parent-teacher conference takes place in early-October. The purpose of this conference is to set annual goals for the student. Please contact your child’s teacher if you feel a conference is needed at any other time, if you have a concern or if you have information that may help the teacher to be more effective working with your child. Please note that teachers are not available for conferences or phone calls during class hours.

Report Cards

Student Cumulative School Records

Student Supervision

Daily Morning Arrival Window is between 8:00 AM and 8:15 AM. Instruction begins promptly at 8:15 AM.
Upon arrival to campus, students should walk directly to their classroom door and line up to greet their teacher.
Students are not to arrive at school before 8:00 AM, as there is no supervision on campus before that time.

Students need to be picked up promptly at the 2:20 and 2:50 dismissal times, based on their grade level.

For those parents with students at both grade levels who wish to wait on the campus for the upper grade dismissal time, please escort your child(ren) to the Bobcat Breezeway (Picnic tables near the parking lot/driveway) to wait quietly until the 2:50 dismissal. The picnic tables, blacktop, grass, and playgrounds need to be kept available for upper grade instruction and P.E. time. Children need to remain under the close, direct supervision of their parents/caregivers at the Bobcat Breezeway for safety reasons.

Parents whose children habitually remain on campus past the dismissal time without parent supervision may be contacted by the school to develop a plan for punctual pick up. Parents/drivers who are late picking up students need to sign them out and pick them up in the office for safety reasons.

Testing

Text and Library Book Policy

You will be charged for damaged or lost textbooks or library books that your child is responsible for. Books are very expensive and the school cannot afford to absorb the costs for replacing these books. The school librarian will send a notice home for the overdue library book about two weeks prior to report card time. If a lost book is found after you have paid for it, your money will be refunded upon request. You will need to provide a copy of the cleared check, both front and back to be reimbursed.

Use of School Grounds

Use of School Phone

If there is an emergency and a student needs to communicate with his/her parent during school hours, the teacher may send the student to the office to call the parent. Forgotten band instruments/books/etc and arranging for after school social events are not considered emergencies and students will not be allowed to use the school phone for such purposes.

Please note that students will not be allowed to accept any call in class or step out of class to accept a call. In an emergency, the parent must contact the office and the office staff will locate the student immediately.

Other Programs & Services

Curriculum Night (Back to School Night)

Open House

Outdoor Education Program

Our 5th grade students and teachers attend Outdoor Education Program each year. Students receive hands-on learning in ecology, science and conservation. The school requests a voluntary donation for this program. Please know that a voluntary donation is not required to participate, yet insufficient funding will result in a cancellation of this field trip. Also needed are parent chaperones to make this amazing learning experience possible. There will be an information session to learn how to become a volunteer and so much more!

Special Education Programs & Services

CUSD has a wide range of programs and services for students with learning challenges. Parent permission is required for student testing, and eligibility for services is based on federal/state criteria. The following services are available at Blue Hills:

The Resource Specialist is trained in assessing, identifying, and providing specially designed instruction for students with learning challenges who qualify for special education. The Resource Specialist also provides consultative support to classroom teachers and parents of special education students.
The Speech and Language Pathologist provides speech and language therapy based on the child’s needs and eligibility. If you feel your child may have a speech, language or hearing problem, please discuss this with your child’s teacher.
Special Day Class Programs are provided at other CUSD schools for students with learning challenges who qualify for special education and need specially designed instruction in a small class setting.
The School Psychologist assesses students for learning challenges that may interfere with their school progress, and assists in developing the Individual Education Plans (IEP) for students eligible for Special Education. Our psychologist also provides general supports for all students with social, emotional, and behavioral development.

Emergency Preparedness

For the safety of our students and staff, we conduct emergency drills (e.g. fire, earthquake, critical incident) on a regularly scheduled basis.

What Parents Should Do BEFORE A Disaster Occurs

Be sure that your child’s health and emergency card (on file in the office) has accurate and current information. Make sure that you list emergency contacts on the card. The only people, other than yourself, that can take your child from school are those you list on the card. Inform the people you have listed that they are authorized to take your child in an emergency.
Prepare your child. Let your child know who might be picking them up if you are unable to do so. If you work out of the local area, be sure that your child understands that it may take you many hours or days to reach home. Reassure them that they will be cared for until you arrive. Children who are prepared experience less fear.
Volunteer to help. The school can use lots of help in disaster preparedness including purchasing and inventorying supplies, traffic and crowd control in the event of a critical incident, etc.

What Parents Should Do IN THE EVENT of An Emergency

First, remain calm, because the school is probably one of the safest places to be in the event of an emergency. School personnel must remain with the children. We are well prepared to take care of your child for at least 72 hours.

Do not phone. If local phone lines are working, they will be needed for emergency personnel.
Walk from your home. Leave the street free for emergency vehicles. The streets may be jammed. You will get to school faster by foot or bicycle.
Go to the Student Release Center, which is located near the fenced gate on Goleta Ave at the back of the school near the Champions Childcare building. Parents will line up along the fence, will provide identification that will be cross-checked with the student’s emergency card, and then will walk in to get their child from the classroom teacher. Signs will be posted to inform you if the Student Release Center needs to be at a different location.
Volunteer to help. Report to the Command Center (located next to Room 16) if you can volunteer to help with traffic, first aid, calming children, etc.

If you are delayed and find the school has been evacuated, look for a notice posted in a visible location on the outside of the school to find out where the remaining children and staff have been moved to.

Code of Conduct

Bobcat Be's Guidelines

The Bobcat Be’s: Be Safe, Be Responsible, Be Respectful. Be Kind.

Our Bobcat Be’s Student Management program supports all students through interventions ranging from a school-wide system to a system for developing individualized plans for specific students. The Bobcat Be’s program consists of pro-active procedures and practices to prevent problem behavior for all students and to improve school climate. The Bobcat Be’s are three rules that students follow at all times at Blue Hills: Be Safe, Be Responsible, Be Respectful , and Be Kind. The Bobcat Be’s Matrix (see the table below) uses the school-wide rules to identify specific behavioral expectations across all school settings.

The Bobcat Be’s: Positive and Negative Reinforcement

Students receive positive reinforce for following the Bobcat Be’s by receiving Paws for Praise tickets among other reinforcers, tangible and intangible. Weekly classroom drawings are done for students that receive Paws for Praise tickets and students are recognized at weekly Bobcat Be’s assemblies. Paws for Praise tickets are used to buy items at our school store: the Bobcat Den. When students violate the Bobcat Be’s, staff intervene to inform the student of the problem behavior, teach the appropriate behavior for the particular situation, and administer appropriate disciplinary action. Blue Hills has a three-tiered consequence system. Learning opportunities and reflecting on behaviors are a part of all discipline conversations at all levels.

Level 1: Minor offenses. For minor offenses, students will receive a verbal redirection. Based on staff discretion, the student may also receive a “Break from the Be’s” form and/or a minor consequence.
Level 2: Major offenses and multiple minor offenses. Students will receive a natural consequence for major offenses. For major offenses or multiple minor offenses where the school principal is not involved, the classroom teacher will also contact the parent by email or phone.
Level 3: Serious major offenses and multiple minor offenses. For serious major offenses, students will be referred to the principal. The principal will meet with the student, assign a consequence, and will contact the parents. Based on teacher discretion, students with multiple minor offenses may also be referred to the principal.

Bobcat Be's Matrix

Area/setting	Be Safe	Be Responsible	Be Respectful
Inside Common Areas (GLC, Shared Spaces, Office, Hallways, Assemblies, Rainy Day lunch line)	Walk and go directly to your designated location Allow others to pass, step aside	Clean up your space and remember your belongings Take care of the materials, furniture, workspace around you	Use a quiet voice Wait patiently for, listen to, and respond to adults Use kind words
Bathrooms	Keep feet on the floor Keep water in sink Always wash hands with soap after use	Leave promptly when finished Keep the restroom clean, and report any messes to an adult Use only what you need	Knock on door, and shut gently Give people privacy Use a quiet voice
Playground	Use balls and equipment on designated courts or on the grass Stay within boundaries where you can see an adult. Follow play structure/play ground procedures. Use safe behavior (hands, body, objects, words, etc) with others and towards yourself	Keep track of your belongings (classroom equipment, sweatshirts, hot lunch wrappers, lunchbox etc) Return equipment to designated location Get help when needed Drinking fountain/water fill station - line up to use	Play fairly, take turns Use kind words Leave nature alone Treat Yard Duties, Staff members, and volunteers with respect
Drop-off/Pick-up	Walk directly to/from classroom Stay in designated area until car stops completely Only cross the street with an adult Keep belongings in your own space	Check for belongings before leaving area/car Keep eyes on the parking lot Buckle up immediately	Greet adults and students kindly Keep crosswalk open
Transition Times	Walk in a single file line Face forward Stay to the right Allow others to exit a building before you enter	Go directly to your destination	Be quiet Hold the door open for the person behind you Close the door behind you when you are last in line
Snack/Lunch Tables	Sit with feet under table and bottom on the bench Eat your own food at table Use utensils appropriately	Remember your snack/lunch Leave equipment in the bins during eating time Eat only at lunch tables or at designated areas Finish food, clean up your area, and raise your hand to be excused	Eat neatly Use good manners, kind words and appropriate volume
Lunch Line/Cafeteria	Line up single file and wait quietly Walk to lunch tables	Line up at cafeteria only if getting a hot lunch/snack	Wait your turn Respect personal space of others
Before School	Walk to classroom door immediately upon arrival Playground is closed for safety	School's daily arrival window time is between 7:45 - 8:00 Instruction begins promptly at 8:00 Use the arrival window time to get yourself and your learning materials prepared for the day	Place your belongings nicely in line Use a quiet voice Keep hands on your own belongings
After School	Walk immediately to your after school care Playground is closed for safety and to maintain a quiet instructional environment for 4th and 5th graders	Stay in line and look for your after-school pick-up person Buckle your seat belt and close the door quickly after getting in the car	Use a quiet voice

Activities Not Allowed on Campus

Smoking
Gambling
Using foul language, whether in jest, anger or absent-mindedly. Students who use foul language or make suggestive remarks or actions will be disciplined. This also applies to comments made in Memory Books.
Exclusive games or activities
Fighting, play fighting, rough play, wrestling, or tackling
Gum Chewing
Throwing of dirt, rocks, tan bark, etc.
Digging of dirt
Climbing on the roof, the Blue Hills Sign, poles, railings, trees, tables or cement surfaces
Bicycling, skateboarding, rollerblading, skating and the use of scooters on school grounds

Dress and Appearance

The CUSD policy stipulates that students should wear “clean and safe clothes appropriate for all school activities”. Clothing should not distract from the focus on learning. Parents are encouraged to work together with their children to choose clothing that is appropriate for school.

All clothing shall be neat, clean modest, in good repair, and of appropriate size and fit.
Students should wear shoes that are appropriate for physical education activities on every school day.
Wear shirts and shorts that fully cover the midriff and bottom.
Beach attire, tops with small straps and bare shoulders, dyed hair, makeup, tattoos and high heels are not allowed.
Wear clothing that is free of obscene language or images, and references to drugs, gangs, cigarettes and alcohol.
Hats may be worn outdoors by students during school hours.
Try not to wear watches, bracelets, etc. that are usually distracting throughout the day.

Electronic Devices and Personal Items

Students are not to bring cameras, toys, fidget toys, trading cards, yo-yos, pets, electronic games and devices (e.g. iPods, items with an on/off switch) and other personal items to school. Cellular phones and pagers must be turned off during the school day, including recess, passing periods, and lunch, and must be kept in the students’ backpacks at all times. Failure to abide by this policy may result in the item being confiscated by school staff. Parents will then be notified.

Tobacco-Free/Smoke-Free Environment

Zero Tolerance

In October 1993, the CUSD Board of Education adopted a resolution of Zero Tolerance for violence, weapons, and drugs on school campuses or at school activities off campus. State law, California Education Code regulations and CUSD policy require the immediate suspension and recommendation for expulsion of a student who possesses or furnishes a firearm, knife, explosive or other dangerous objects on school grounds or at school events off the school grounds.

The following are not allowed:

Firearms, firecrackers, rockets, explosives or any other similar dangerous objects
Knives, including kitchen knives, plastic knives, pocket knives and rubber knives
Toy weapons, including squirt guns or plastic type guns
Alcoholic beverages
Illegal drugs
Smoking
Matches and lighters
Inappropriate magazines, books and comic books of any description

Miscellaneous

Traffic Safety

Bicycles and Pedestrian Safety

All students riding to school must wear helmets. Bicycles must be locked up at the bicycle racks while at school. The school does not assume responsibility for any damage or theft that may occur while the bicycles are on campus.

Change of shoes, rollerblades and skates should be done before entering the school campus. California Education Code Section 32210, California Penal Code Section 626.8, and California Vehicle Code Section 21113 state that no self-propelled vehicles, go-carts, motor scooters, skates, skateboards, motorcycles, automobiles, or any other vehicular traffic will be permitted on the school grounds without the authorization of the superintendent or designee.

Student drop-off and pick-up

Forgotten Items

Lost and Found

Lunch Time Yard Duty

Parent Groups and Committees

Blue Hills Educational Fund (BHEF)

BHEF is a volunteer, parent-run, non-profit organization. The purpose is to raise funds to pay for our primary-grade music teacher, upper-grade science instructor and aide, computer lab and library specialists, and classroom instructional assistants. BHEF’s fundraising venues include family dine-out nights, the Silent Auction, corporate matching fund programs, and direct donations from parents. The Board Members of BHEF and the Principal generally meet bimonthly.

Blue Hills Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

School Site Council (SSC)

The School Site Council provides a vehicle through which school personnel and parents work together to improve the quality of education provided at Blue Hills. SSC members review the school plan annually to see that the goals of the plan are being met, give input on new goals, review how the state school funds are spent, and discuss school-wide needs.

The SSC is typically composed of the principal, teachers, and parents. SSC meetings are held 4-5 times during the school year.

School Portraits

Volunteering

Parents can volunteer their time to help our students in many ways. They can: assist the teachers in the classroom, help with special projects/events, be lunchtime yard supervisors, serve as art/clay docents, chaperone field trips, assist with Friday Folders, compile book orders, help with centers groups, etc. If you would like to volunteer, please contact your child’s teacher or the School Office, as appropriate. The more volunteers we have, the better we are able to serve our students.

Additional School-wide volunteer opportunities are available through PTA and BHEF, or school's two parent organizations. These volunteer jobs are integral to providing our students with enriching activities, programs and events. This is also a fun way for parents and caregivers to connect with one another through our school's strong community!

All volunteers are required to have a completed Volunteer Information - Agreement - Authorization Form on file in the office. Volunteers must arrange for a CA Department of Justice fingerprint clearance, TB tested and COVID-19 vaccinated prior to volunteering. For more information see the District requirements HERE.