Rules Before School: Kindergarten students report to the Kindergarten yard. First and second grade students go to the primary yard. Third through fifth grade students report to the upper grade yard. We do not line up outside classrooms. Adult supervision on the playground begins 15 minutes before class time each day. No student should arrive earlier than 15 minutes before class begins. Lunch Time: All students must be seated at their lunch tables for 15 minutes. No one is to get up out of the seats. Before students are excused from the tables, the yard duty teacher will ask everyone to clean up their litter. When that is done, the yard duty teacher will excuse everyone. During School: 1. We walk in the halls and between buildings. Please, no running. 2. We play only on the playgrounds. No one is to be in between buildings or playing in bathrooms. At recess and lunch, students stay on the playground until the bell rings. 3. There is no gum allowed at Oak Knoll. 4. Bikes should be walked to the bicycle racks. It is a good idea to lock your bike until after school. No one is allowed near the bikes during recess or lunch. 5. There are no skateboards, scooters, or rollerblades on the Oak Knoll school grounds. 6. After school students walk out to wait by the Multi and in front of the office. TEACHERS WALK STUDENTS OUT OF THE YARD. If a student is walking or riding a bike home, teachers can allow the students to walk through the primary playground area. All other students should be walked BY THE TEACHER up to the Multi area. 7. Students do not wear hats in the classrooms, library, or Multi. Hats may be worn outside during recess and P.E. 8. We throw only balls at Oak Knoll: no sticks, tanbark, rocks, food, etc. 9. Many children are afraid of dogs. Even a friendly pet on a leash can cause some children to become alarmed. Please do not bring your dog to school during drop-off or pick-up times. Permission to Leave School Grounds Oak Knoll is a closed campus. If a child has to leave the school grounds, a written request should be given to the office, and the responsible adult should sign the child out at the office. Emergency Procedures Parents should file emergency phone numbers in the office, and these numbers are reviewed yearly to insure accuracy. Fire drills are practiced monthly and the Fire Department speaks to all grades yearly. In addition, children participate in periodic earthquake drills. Disaster Procedures for the District In the event of an earthquake, the following procedures will be followed: If it is safe to do so, parents are urged to come to the school to pick up their children and to inform the supervising teacher that the child is leaving school under the parent's supervision. A current list is maintained by each teacher, indicating the persons authorized by parents to pick up their child. Students will remain at school until their dismissal time, unless previously picked up by their parents. If, at dismissal time, the school has been informed by police and fire officials that it is safe for students to be sent home, students will be dismissed. If buses cannot be operated and/or it is determined that it is unsafe for students to be dismissed, students will remain at school under the supervision of school personnel until picked up by their parents, or until buses can be operated, and/or a safe dismissal determination has been made. If needed and it continues to warrant, available middle school personnel will be asked to go to the primary schools to assist in the supervision of the younger children. Sun Safety The Oak Knoll PTO has a committee to help protect our children from harmful sun damage. They promote sun safety awareness and education at Oak Knoll and help make our campus sun-safe (umbrellas, arbors). District Policy on Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco Because the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs adversely affects a student's ability to achieve academic success, is physically and emotionally harmful, and has serious social and legal consequences, the Governing Board has adopted policies to keep district schools free of these substances. Instructional programs will be provided which help students obtain and use current and accurate information, develop and maintain a positive self-concept, and use appropriate social and personal skills to resist involvement with alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. The District has a responsibility to provide a safe and secure educational setting for all students and staff. Students possessing, selling and/or using alcohol, tobacco or other drugs or related paraphernalia will be subject to disciplinary procedures that may result in suspension or expulsion. The district will work closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure that laws are upheld on and about school campuses. District Policy on Weapons Possession of any weapon on campus is illegal. Weapons include, but are not limited to, the following: knives, razor blades, firearms, firecrackers and projectiles. Possession, use, transfer or sale of weapons will result in suspension and the possibility of expulsion. If the law has been broken, the Menlo Park Police will be notified. Student Birthday Celebrations Check with your child’s teacher as to the individual policy regarding classroom birthday celebrations. To avoid hurt feelings, private birthday party invitations should be mailed rather than passed out in class, unless the entire class is invited.