Rules & Guidelines

Standards and Conduct

Marquez embraces the theory of positive discipline. We use problem solving rather than punishment; to help children become successful students and citizens. Parent cooperation and support is crucial. Standards and expectation for behavior are explained by each teacher in every classroom. Students are expected to maintain our school-wide standards of behavior which are based on the Big Six Principles.

Big Six Principles

1. Treat every student and adult with courtesy and respect.
2. Use words that make people feel good about themselves, don’t use language that hurts another person’s feelings, contains cursing, or provokes a fight.
3. Settle differences peacefully, together. Children are encouraged to solve minor problems themselves.
4. Take care of the school. Take care of your belongings and the belongings of others. Treat the school like you would treat your home. Do not write on things that are not yours; pick up your trash and sometimes your neighbor’s. Do not take things that are not yours or given to you without permission. Do not damage things that belong to you or someone else. Remember to take your belongings home with you.
5. Always be where you are supposed to be. Be where you are supposed to be at recess and lunch. Never leave the campus without permission. Always check out at the office if you are leaving with an adult.
6. If a mistake is made, know that you can always do better the next day.

Health

Students may not carry or use medications on campus without written consent. A student who needs to take medication during school hours must have a statement to this effect on file at the school, signed by the prescribing physician and the parent/guardian. Self-administration of medications may be permissible by special arrangement with the school nurse and administrator. The required forms are available from the school nurse or administrator. School health personnel do not prescribe or give advice regarding medicine.

Good Student Qualities

• Always be honest – even if you did something wrong. People will believe in your trustworthiness.
• Say no to a friend if you know it will get you into trouble. Come up with a different and better idea.
• Wait your turn. There are times when you will be first. There are times when you will be last, and there are times when your turn will be in the middle.
• Tell people what you like about them.
• Tell people that you like what they do for you.
• Say thank-you a lot
• Do good favors for one another.
• Offer your help.
• Smile and laugh with your friends.
• Solve problems peacefully and fairly between you and others.

School-Wide Behavior

Morning recess and lunch recess are times for play, relaxation and a moment to share with friends from different classes and grade levels. We have a large playground with many activities as well as the option of the quiet center and the library. These choices allow for personal development and a wide range of personal choices. All students will be expected to follow the Big Six Principles. However, if there are infractions, there are consequences for the misconduct.

Consequences for Misconduct

1. First offense: Student takes a “timeout” from the game until he/she decides he/she is ready to rejoin the game.
2. Second offense: Students who need a “cooling off” period will be directed to a specific area by the playground assistant.
3. Third offense: Student is removed from the game and “benched” for the duration of recess. Any students involved in physical altercations will meet with the principal.

Emergencies/Natural Disasters

In case of an injury or other emergency, the school needs accurate emergency data. Please fill out the “Emergency Information Card” that you receive the first day of school and list medical information and contact telephone numbers. Let the school office know if any information changes.

Marquez’s emergency supplies include food, water, first aid supplies, blankets and shelter. The PTA coordinates updating the emergency supplies each year. Each teacher has a backpack in the classroom with a class roster and emergency supplies. In case of an emergency, the campus will be closed and children will be excused only to people with valid identification who are listed on their emergency cards or their disaster release form.

Marquez’s staff receives training in emergency procedures. The school conducts periodic fire drills and earthquake drills. The school district emergency hot-line number has a recording for information about schools in the event of an emergency. The number is (818) 704-7298.

Dress Code

It is important that all children come to school dressed in comfortable clothes appropriate school. The Governing Board has adopted a policy requiring closed-toe shoes for all children for safety at recess and lunch. It is also important that children show respect for others by not wearing clothing that will offend others. All students participating in field trips must wear a Marquez t-shirt, available for sale from the PTA.

Field Trips

Field trips vary per teacher. Each student must fill out and return a permission slip. All students participating in the outing must wear a Marquez t-shirt, available for sale from the PTA. Since buses are not available from the District for field trips, teachers request their students’ parents with good driving records and valid insurance to volunteer as drivers. Fourth graders go on a field trip to Sacramento in June in connection with the fourth grade theme of California history (coordinated by a service which arranges flights and buses). Fifth graders go on an overnight field trip to bond in October.

Lost and Found

If your child loses something, check in the “Lost and Found” on the courtyard side of the library. Please label all of your child’s jackets, sweaters, lunch boxes, folders and backpacks. Due to the volume of lost and found items, they are donated to charity periodically throughout the year. Lunch boxes are thrown out regularly for health reasons.

Tardiness and Absences

If your child must be late to school, you will need to send a note explaining the tardiness. In the event of being tardy, your child must report to the office before proceeding to their classroom. If your child is absent, you need to send a note to school the next day explaining the absence. Unexcused absences cause our school to lose funding. Each unexcused absence costs approximately $25 in lost funding, so please remember to send a note to school.

Permission to Leave School

Any child leaving the school grounds other than regular dismissal must be released through the school office to a parent/guardian or person designated on the “Emergency Information Card.” When your child leaves home for school, please remind her/him to go directly to school and to come directly home at dismissal.

Lunch Time

The cafeteria serves breakfast from 7:30 am to 8:15 am. The Kindergarten, upper and lower grades have lunch in three shifts starting at 12:15 pm to 1:15 pm. Marquez students in grades 1-5 may bring their own lunches from home or purchase food from the cafeteria. A cafeteria menu is issued monthly and can be found on the school website. Milk can be purchased separately. The application form for the federally subsidized lunch and breakfast program is included in your “first day packet” of important papers. Students may eat lunch in the covered patio area or at shaded tables. The prices are as follows:

• Breakfast $ .60
• Lunch $1.00
• Milk $ .25
• Juice $ .35
• 22 lunch tickets $20.00

Snacks

Please send nutritious snacks, such as vegetable sticks or fruit if your child needs to have a snack at recess. Beverages from home should be in plastic or paper containers for safety reasons. Children may not bring glass containers to school. Please do not allow your child to bring candy, gum or carbonated beverages to school. They are considered junk food and are prohibited at elementary schools. Please remind your child that school staff may confiscate these items. We do have children who are allergic to nuts. Please ask your children not to share their food.

Keeping Our Campus Clean

Please help your children to take pride in their school and their community. Keeping their school “trash free” is an important part of their school culture. We ask that parents demonstrate the same pride through example. Pick up trash when you see it and ask your children to do the same.

Supervision Before and After School

The safety of our students is very important. Supervision is provided on the lower yard in the morning starting at 7:45 am by school aides. At recess and lunch school aides supervise the playgrounds and lunch areas. The lower yard is open from school dismissal until 5pm Monday to Friday. The afternoon playground is operated by Youth Services and The Beyond The Bell Program. This is for children from grades 2 – 5 only and there is usually only 1 supervisor present.