Handbook

Welcome to West Valley or Welcome Back To School

I welcome everyone to West Valley Elementary School for the new academic year.  Our first day back to school will be this Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024.  A few important things to note are listed below.

• Students' School hours - Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 8:15 am - 2:20 pm for TK - 3rd grades and 8:15-2:50 pm for 4th and 5th grades.  On Tuesdays, TK-5 school hours are 8:15-1:45 pm. 

• Transition Kindergarten and Kindergarten parents will need to park and walk your child to line up outside of the TK/kindergarten room. Parents supervise TK/kindergarten students before school starts.

• Drop Off - 1st-5th grade students can be dropped as early as 8:00 am, students go line up on the blacktop by their class numbers.

• Pick Up - Transition Kindergarten and Kindergarten pick up in front of the classroom front doors, 1st-5th grade pick up in the front office driveway.  

• Front Office Hours - 7:45 am - 3:45 pm

• Open Door policy/Communication: Please feel free to email me at lin_chiaching@cusdk8.org for any questions, feedback or a meeting. I believe in the Open Door policy and would like to partner with you for the success of your child’s academic growth.

• West Valley School uses ParentSquare as our primary source of communication. If you have not done so, please sign up for a ParentSquare account and get the app so you can stay connected with important school information. This platform has great translation capabilities for our multilingual families.

• Register on Konstella - Join Now!  Konstella is WVPTO’s primary communication tool within our school community.  We ask that all families register on Konstella to facilitate communication among parents and to receive information about school events and committees.  To register, visit www.konstella.com/cd/HKSZCM and enter your email address to be sent an invitation to join.  Once you have registered, please log in and add your child to your account profile.  Be sure to select “Your Child’s Class” for their classroom.  After you have registered, you can access the site at www.konstella.com or by downloading the mobile app.  Questions about Konstella?  Please contact WVPTO Communication Director, Tina Lee, at communications@wvpto.org. 

• Save the Date

  • TK/K KickStart scheduled for Wednesday August 14 - Class Lists will be posted at 2:00 pm on the front office windows, incoming TK/Kinders and their parents can then head to their classrooms to meet their teacher from 2:30-3:00 pm

  • 1st-5th grade KickStart scheduled for Wednesday August 14 - Class Lists will be posted at 2:30 pm on the front office windows, 1st-5th grade teachers will meet and greet students on the blacktop from 2:30-3:00pm

  • If you are unable to come to school in the afternoon, you may check your ParentVue account for class assignments. Your child's teacher/room number will be posted on the ParentVue account at 4 pm on August 14th.

Warmly,

Chia-ching Lin
West Valley Principal

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
• Bereavement for a family member
• Court appearances

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

West Valley School recognizes the importance of a well-rounded academic program that offers opportunities to all learners. Classroom teachers adhere to a consistent set of school wide expectations.

Website: https://www.cusdk8.org/westvalley

Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Attendance Line (24 hour): (408) 245 0148 press 6

Front Office Staff:   Lisa Aguirre – x 82103

Nidhi Singhal – x 82104

Cafeteria and Hot Lunch: Lunch Lady – x 82132 10:30 am – 1:00pm

Staff Email: lastname_firstname@cusdk8.org 

Please note that during teaching hours, the classroom phone will not ring and all calls will automatically go to voicemail as to not interrupt instruction.

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, including changes made by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, will be allowed.

It is important that students be in school every day for the best learning to occur. CUSD’s attendance policy states that a student will be dropped from the school roster if s/he has an unexcused absence on the 1st day of school in August (vacations are unexcused). When the student returns, s/he will be reinstated if space is available. If no space is available, the student will be assigned to another school in the district where space is available. When you are making travel plans, please consider the possible ramifications. If the extended absence is due to illness, parents must notify the school of the absence and provide documentation from a local physician.

All students riding to school must wear helmets. Bikes, scooters, skateboards must be walked up the sidewalk or walkway once on school campus. Do not bike, scoot, or skate through the parking lots or up the sidewalks. This is for the safety of the riders. 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. Rollerblades, roller skates, and heelies are not allowed on campus at any time. Change of shoes for students who rollerblade, roller skate, or heelie should be done before entering the school campus. 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 appropriate authorization.

West Valley is a closed campus for the safety and security of our students and staff. Students may not leave the school campus during school hours. Community members may not enter campus through the open gates by the field during school hours. If a student needs to be picked up before the normal dismissal time, it is helpful to notify the student’s teacher ahead of time and/or Front Office in advance via telephone or email. The student must be “signed out” in the school office. It is also helpful to notify the Front Office in advance should someone else be signing the student out other than the parent/guardian, with information such as the student name and person/relationship who is doing the signing out.

The students will only be released to parents or emergency contacts listed on the student's emergency contact list.

Students are not to arrive at school before 8:00 am, as there is no staff supervision on campus before that time. Students are to wait for their teachers at their classroom line. Given the young age of Kindergarten students, parents of Kindergarten students must wait in line with them.

Students need to be picked up promptly at the 2:20PM (TK-3rd) and 2:50PM (4th & 5th) dismissal times, 1:45 (all grades) on Tuesdays. Kindergarten students must be picked up at their classroom doors. 1st--5th Grade students may walk out to their pre- -designated pick up area. For those parents with students at both grade levels who wish to wait on campus for the upper grade dismissal time or for after school classes that start later, the covered eating area is the designated wait area until the 2:50PM dismissal. Children need to remain under the close, direct supervision of their parents at the picnic tables for safety reasons. Upper graders are in session and teachers are planning or collaborating, thus an effective learning environment needs to be maintained for all. The blacktop, grass, and play structures need to be kept available for upper grade instruction and PE class time. There is no staff supervision provided after school on the blacktop, grass, and play structures. Students who are not picked up are directed to go to the Front Office for safety reasons. Parents whose children habitually remain on campus past the dismissal time without adult supervision may be contacted by Administration to develop a plan for punctual pick up.

Campus Visitors (See COVID protocols on Principal's Message)

Education Code Section 32210 states that all visitors, including parents, volunteers and district employees, must sign in at the office when school is in session. This policy is to ensure safety and order on campus and to minimize classroom disruptions. Each visitor must wear a school tag at all times during the visit.

Stop in at the office to sign in before heading to a classroom for volunteering. Do not hesitate to ask another adult to stop by the office to check in if the visitor's badge is not visible.

Notify the Front Office immediately of any changes in address, telephone numbers, emails, and emergency contacts. District policy states that change of residence must be reported to the school office within ten (10) days of moving. Failure to provide current residency information could result in the withdrawal of a student.

Classroom Observations (See COVID protocols on Principal's Message)

The following guidelines are established in an effort to maintain uninterrupted instruction during classroom observations:

• Parents must call the Front Office at least five (5) business days in advance to schedule an observation appointment with Administration.
• On the day of, parents must first check in at the office at which time an Administrator will accompany during the scheduled observation
• Observations are scheduled for no more than 20 minutes
• Video and photography are not permitted during observation

Upon arrival in the classroom, please remain seated in the back of the classroom. Do not engage in conversation with the teacher, instructional assistant(s), or students so as not to interrupt instruction.

West Valley utilizes PBIS: Positive Behavior Interventions and Support, is a systemic approach to creating a positive school climate that focuses on defining and teaching positive character guidelines to students. All students will be taught our four school expectations, and all students will be acknowledged for positive behaviors. Each month, one student from each classroom chosen by their peers for demonstrating the four expectations are acknowledged as “Awesome Upstanders” at a Friday morning Community Gathering. In addition, we are working on a student recognition initiative called Wiley’s Paws-a-tive Paws. For every 4 paws earned, a student may exchange the four “paws” for an extrinsic item or prize. This systematic, data-driven approach dovetails with existing practices and Project Cornerstone programs.

Parents are informed about programs, special events, and other newsworthy items via the online West Valley Wildcat, teachers’ newsletters, and CUSD publications. Thursday is set aside for sending schoolwork and such notices home; however, classroom teachers may send home notices anytime during the week. Parents are encouraged to take the time to read the Thursday Folders to discuss the events, work, and student learnings inside. Contact the Front Office or teachers if there are questions or comments about the notices sent home. Please ensure that West Valley has accurate email addresses listed as much of the information communicated is in digital form. Log onto the school website www.West_Valley_Elementary_School for other important updates.

Students who arrive after the 8:15 AM start of school bell are considered late and must obtain a late slip. Late arrivals create a disruption in the classroom and cause students to miss instructional time. Make sure your child arrives at school in enough time to walk to the classroom or classroom line by 8:15 AM. A delay is defined as coming to school within 29 minutes after the 8:15 AM bell has rung.

A tardy is defined as coming to school 30 minutes or more after the 8:51 AM bell has rung.

Excessive lateness will result in a phone conversation or in person meeting with the Attendance Secretary or Administration to develop a plan for punctuality. Excessive lateness is not a matter to be taken lightly. California law states that the parent/guardian is obligated to compel the regular, on-time attendance of their child(ren) at school. If excessive lateness persists, a referral may be made to the district School Attendance Review Board (SARB).

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.

• Clothing items and accessories should not be a distraction to learning.
• 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 every school day. Open toe, flip flops, slippers, or shoes without a strap around the heel is inappropriate for physical education purposes.
• Short shorts, short dresses, tank tops, and/or shirts that show the midriff and belly button are not permitted.
• Shorts, skirts, and dresses should be fingertip length when arms are held straight at the sides.
• Clothing or accessories that display obscene language, refer to drugs, gangs, or have pictures of cigarettes, alcohol, or violence are not permitted.
• Hats may be worn at school by students during school hours.
• If a student is dressed inappropriately, parents may be contacted by the Front Office to bring a change of clothing.

Drop off any home lunch no later than 11:45 am (for Grades K - 5). Do not deliver lunches to the classroom door as it is a disruption to instruction. Place it on the lunch cart located outside the door to the Front Office be sure that the student’s name and room number are clearly marked. Students are instructed by the classroom teacher to go to the lunch cart. For the occasional forgotten lunch, students are also instructed to first look on the lunch cart. Students are not allowed to walk out to the parking lot to pick up lunch from a car.

For the safety of the students and staff, emergency drills are (e.g. fire, earthquake, critical incident) on a scheduled basis throughout the school year.

• Fire Drill – monthly
• Earthquake Drill – once a year
• Lockdown – Shelter In Place and Run, Hide, Defend

Parent Preparation

1. Be sure that the student’s health and emergency card (on file in the office) has accurate and current information. Make sure emergency contacts are listed on the card. Inform the people listed that they are authorized to take the student in the event of an emergency.
2. Parents/guardians need to let their child(ren) know who might be picking them up in the event of an emergency. Parents/guardians need to reassure their child(ren) that they will be cared for until pick up. Children who are prepared experience less fear.
3. It is encouraged for families to have an emergency plan in place at home. The plan may include designated meeting locations and emergency supplies (including food). All students need to memorize 1 or 2 important phone numbers in which family members or other trusted adults can be reached in the event of an emergency.

If an Emergency Occurs...

• Remain calm. The school is probably one of the safest places to be in the event of an emergency. School personnel must remain with all students. West Valley follows an emergency protocol, and all staff are trained and prepared to take care of students.
• Do not telephone the school. If local phone lines are working, they will be needed for emergency personnel. If the emergency calls for evacuation, no one will be in the buildings.
• Walk or bike to West Valley. Leave the street free for emergency vehicles.
• If the emergency calls for evacuation, West Valley’s designated congregation area is the field/grass. Staff are on hand to reunite parent/guardian and child.
• Volunteer to help. Report to the Command Center (located on the blacktop next to the wall ball courts) to help with triage.
• If the parent/guardian is delayed and finds the school has been evacuated, look for a notice posted on the Front Office or around the school to find out where the remaining
• students and staff have been moved to West Valley’s primary location for an off campus evacuation is Cupertino Middle School which is .6 miles away. If CMS is unavailable, a secondary location for an off campus evacuation is located at Grant Park 1575 Holt Avenue, Los Altos which is 1.3 miles away.

Teachers schedule field trips as extensions to the academic curriculum. Admission and transportation costs of field trips are calculated using the total number of students in a class or grade level. Funding is provided through classroom donations collected at the beginning of the year. Please make all checks payable to West Valley Elementary School. No student will be excluded due to his/her family’s inability to pay for the cost of the field trip. In the event of insufficient donations, field trips will not be scheduled.

Nurses are at school on an on-call basis. The Front Office staff is trained to provide first aid. Illness and injury that occur at home should not be referred to the school for care. A notice is sent home if a student has been exposed to a contagious illness (e.g. strep throat, chicken pox) in the classroom.

All students in 1st, 2nd, 5th Grades, and Special Day Class students will have a hearing screening in small groups by a credentialed audiologist. Each student wears a pair of earphones to listen to tones of varying frequencies. If a student is unable to pass the group screening, s/he is then re-checked individually. All Kindergarten, 2nd, and 5th Grades students will have a vision screening, and all 1st Grade boys will have a color vision screening.

Parents/guardians of students whom the School Nurse deems as needing medical follow-- up after the hearing and vision screenings will be notified in writing.

Homework is assigned on a gradual continuum from Kindergarten through 5th Grade. It is also an opportunity for students to learn responsibility, good work habits, and study skills outside of the school day. Completing homework in Kindergarten is optional. Students may be assigned 20 minutes or more per night depending on the grade level. Homework purposes reinforce classroom learning and are an extension of classroom learning such as projects or reports to prepare for assessment purposes.  Homework may include: nightly reading, completion of unfinished work, building math fact fluency, and special projects.

Commencing in SY 2022-23, Education Code (EC 49501.5 requires public school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools serving students in grades TK-12 provide two meals free of charge (breakfast and lunch) during each school day to students requesting a meal, regardless of their free or reduced-price meal eligibility.  All students will be offered two meals when they request the meal(s) during all school days.

Illness (see additional COVID policies and protocols)

A child should not be in school when s/he has experienced any of the following within the past 24 hours:

• Undiagnosed rash
• Nausea or vomiting, or has vomited during the night
• 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
• If a child has had a fever, s/he may not return to school until it has been normal for 24 hours without the use of medicine
• Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
• Runny nose with copious discharge or severe congestion
• Complaints of feeling ill when s/he was home the day before or felt ill before coming to school

If a student 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.

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 in the classroom.
• For a more serious injury, the student is sent to the Front Office for first aid. The student’s name and action taken are recorded. The office staff are CPR and First Aid certified.
• If a student receives a blow to the head, the office staff will notify the parent 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 will also be called. No student will be sent home until the parent/guardian is contacted and plans are made for transportation.

Notify the Front Office in advance if a student will be leaving West Valley. This allows better preparation of placement information for student’s new school. This also gives the teacher time to gather and prepare materials that belong to the student.

West Valley Elementary School and the Cupertino Union School District (CUSD) cannot be held responsible for any personal property of students and visitors/volunteers.

Lunchtime schedule is

TK/K 12:00-12:45 PM    1st-5th 12:10-12:55 PM

TK and Kindergarteners eat in the enclosed Kindergarten play yard. For Grades 1-- 5, recess snacks and lunches are eaten at picnic tables only. No food is allowed on the blacktop, playground or field (except when social distancing due to COVID protocols). At lunch, students must remain seated to eat for at least 15 minutes prior to dismissal to play. Students are also expected to clear the lunch trash.

Make appointments before or after school hours or on days when school is not in session. When this is not possible and the student needs to be taken out during school hours, the parent/guardian must come to the Front Office to sign out.

If the student will return to school after the appointment, the parent/guardian must sign him/her in at the Front Office. If the student will be late for school due to medical/dental appointments, the parent will need to call in the partial absence to the 24-hour Attendance Line (408-245-0148 then press 6) before 8:15 AM and bring a note from the doctor/dentist for verification.

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, parents/guardians and the student’s physician must sign a Medication Authorization Form, which is to be kept on file in the Front Office. The Medical Authorization Form is valid for one school year. This form can be accessed online from the West Valley website or picked up in the Front Office.

All medication prescriptions must be current and supplied in original prescription bottles with the pharmacy labels attached. Parents/guardians may request the 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, even cough drops. This is for the safety of all students. No medications, including over-the-counter medications, will be administered at school without a signed Medication Authorization Form. Parents/guardians must pick up all medication from the Front Office at the end of the school year. Any medication not picked up at the end of the school year will be discarded.

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 addressing 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 held during the school day involving food must meet nutritional requirements. Parents/guardians must get prior approval from the teacher before bringing food for these occasions.

If a parent/guardian would like to share the student’s birthday with the class, consider alternate choices to food such as pencils and erasers, for example. Students are not allowed to share food with other students due to food allergies and dietary restrictions.

CUSD has a range of academic support processes to help a student be successful in their learning trajectory towards end of year, grade level standards. These plans may involve student, parent/guardian, teacher, and/or Administration participation.

Student Success Team (SST) is a cooperative effort between the school and home to explore ways to help a student achieve success. This process involves the teacher, parent, Administration, and possibly school resource specialists.

The 504 Plan falls under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 in which a student with a record of a physical or mental disability or impairment substantially limits one or more major life activities. This process involves the teacher, parent, Administration, and possibly school resource specialists.

After School Programs

There are a number of after school activities contracted with outside organizations at West Valley. These activities are open to all students. Programs are provided by different vendors with various registration fees. Look for information on the West Valley website, in the Thursday folders, and through Peachjar, the online flier distribution portal CUSD uses for additional information.

After School Sports

Students have the opportunity to participate in Girls on The Run, depending on the availability of qualified staff. Students are invited to an informational meeting before the season starts. It is the student’s responsibility to attend the meeting, fill in the form, and return the form to school by the given deadline. The GOTR team runs in the spring and there is no limit to participants.

Back to School Night

Back to School Night is held at the beginning of the school year. Specific information about a student’s classroom, academic expectations, and curricular programs will be distributed. This is also an opportunity to sign up to volunteer. Note that this is an evening for parents/ guardians only. Parents/guardians are encouraged to make childcare arrangements in advance to be able to attend.

Family Math/Science Nights

Each year, the West Valley PTO hosts either a family math or science night. It is a great family event that makes math and science fun for all participants.

CUSD Counseling Services 

CUSD counselors work with students in need of counseling support. A parent consent form must be signed before an intern therapist may work with a student and family. Contact the Front Office for additional information.

Open House

Open House is usually held in the spring. This is an opportunity to visit the student’s classroom and learn about the work done for the school year. All students and families are welcome to attend.

Outdoor Science School (aka Science Camp)

5th Grade students, teachers, and adult volunteers attend Outdoor Science School at Walden West in Saratoga each year. Students receive hands-- on learning in life and earth sciences and conservation of both. This four night and five days program is an excellent opportunity for students to experience environmental stewardship. In the event of insufficient donations and/or volunteers, this event will be subject to cancellation.

Special Education Programs and Services

CUSD has a wide range of programs and services for students with identified learning disabilities. Parent consent is required for Special Education testing, and eligibility for Special Education services is based on federal/state criteria. The following Special Education personnel and services are available at West Valley:

• The Resource Specialist (RS) is trained in assessing, identifying, and providing individually designed instruction for students with learning disabilities who qualify for Special Education. The RS may provide consultative support to classroom teachers and parents of Special Education students.
• The Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP) provides speech and language therapy based on the student’s eligibility and needs. The SLP may provide consultative support to classroom teachers and parents of Special Education students.
• The School Psychologist assesses students for learning disabilities that may interfere with their school progress and assists in developing the Individual Education Plan (IEPs) for students eligible for Special Education.

The West Valley Parent Teacher Organization brings the West Valley community together to work as a team to support the well-being of all students. Its mission is to positively impact the lives of West Valley students and families. PTO sponsors parent volunteers and provides students with many enrichment opportunities such as art, primary music, and technology. PTO also supports West Valley Teachers with endowments and staff appreciation as well as activities for the entire community such as Walk-A-Thon, Family Movie night, Family Game night

Students are not to use personal trading cards, toys, electronic games, or other personal items during school hours. The misuse of these items can lead to exclusion of others, off task behavior, theft, and/or physical violence. Cellular phones and smart watches must be kept in the student’s backpack at all times and must be turned off during the school day, including recess and lunch. Personal fidget items must be cleared by your child’s classroom teacher and may only be used in the classroom. Failure to abide by this policy may result in the item being confiscated by school staff. West Valley and CUSD cannot be responsible for lost or damaged personal belongings.

Students should arrive at school between 8:00-8:15 AM  Please do not drop/send students to school before this time as we do not have supervision on campus prior to 8:00 AM.  The school playground is off-limits to all students before school starts.

After primary grade dismissal (2:20 and 1:45 on Tues), students should be picked up, or walk/ride home, immediately after school is over.  Students who are not picked up after school will be asked to wait in the front office, and parents will be contacted.  No student is allowed on the playground or blacktop while the upper grades are in session. Primary grade students (K-3) waiting for older siblings, must only wait by the snack table area along with their supervising adults, leaving the playground and blacktop free for the use of upper grade students. Please be mindful of the fact that our older students are still in class and we want to minimize interruptions to their outdoor activities and classroom learning.

If you choose to have your children play on school grounds after the upper grade dismissal (2:50 and 1:45 on Tues), please supervise your children at all times.

Project Cornerstone is a part of West Valley’s endeavor to educate the whole child. Building developmental assets and providing students with multiple opportunities to connect with caring adults outside of their immediate family build positive connections. More about Project Cornerstone can be found at their website – www.projectcornerstone.org. As part of Project Cornerstone, the ABC Reader Program enlists adult volunteers to read a story in the classroom and teach a consistent message each month. In order to make this program work, volunteers are needed to come to school once a month to read to students, lead classroom activities, and attend training with lead Project Cornerstone volunteers.

The parent/legal guardian and the student must be physically residing in West Valley’s attendance area at the time of registration.

For more information, check “Registration” on the CUSD website or call the Front Office at (408) 245-0148

Report Cards are issued at the end of each trimester (three total). Report cards are standards-based thus communicating student progress as measured against state and district end of year and grade level standards. Contact the teacher if there are questions about a student’s Report Card.

If a student will be absent or late for school, the absence/partial absence needs to be reported on the Absence/Tardy form or via the 24-hour Attendance Line at (408) 245- 0148 extension 6. When reporting:

• State the student’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, indicate the reason for the delay and the time in which the student will arrive at school.
• State a reason for the absence (illness, medical, dental, etc.). If a reason is not given, the absence will be marked unexcused.
• Leave a telephone number in case the Front Office has questions

If the student’s absence is not called into the Attendance Line on the day of the absence, the absence will be marked as UNEXCUSED. The Attendance Secretary will follow up with a telephone call on the day of the absence.

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 – 5th Grade students are allowed to check out two books each week; a third book is allowed if needed for a class assignment or project Single renewals are allowed on all items. Notices are sent home when a book is overdue. Fines are not levied on overdue books. However, students with overdue library books lose their checkout privilege until the late items are returned. If a book is lost or destroyed, then a fine is levied. If a book is found after fines have been paid, a refund is given upon request. As per district reimbursement guidelines, a copy of the cleared check, front and back, must be provided in order to be reimbursed. Contact Vivian Gudan directly with questions related to lost or destroyed books.

CUSD Student Meal Menu - check for monthly meal menu for breakfast and lunch

For any questions, please contact CUSD Nutrition Services at (408) 252 – 3000 x61301.

The School Site Council provides a vehicle through which school personnel and parents work collaboratively to improve the quality of education provided at West Valley. SSC members consult with Administration and a school team to see that the goals of the school plan are being met, help determine new goals, align state school funds are being spent on the goals, and discuss school wide needs. The SSC is composed of Administration, Staff Representatives, and Parents. SSC meetings are held once a month during the school year, and they are always open to the public.

Each spring, 3rd – 5th Grade students take the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP). Results from these assessments, other district assessments, curriculum- related assessments, and daily assessments are used by the teachers to evaluate students’ progress, plan daily instruction, and help strengthen learning of each academic content.

Parents/guardians may view a student’s cumulative school records by making an appointment with Administration. Call the Front Office at (408) 254-0148 to schedule an appointment.

Student- Parent – Teacher Conferences take place in early October. The purpose of this conference is to set annual goals; however, a parent should contact the teacher at any time if a conference is needed – if there is a concern or if there is information that may be helpful to the teacher in being more effective working with a student. Note that teachers are not available for conferences or phone calls during school hours.

California 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 object on school grounds or at school events off the school grounds.

The following are not allowed on any CUSD school campus:

• 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

Each student is assigned textbooks. Students are responsible for using textbooks appropriately. Parents may be financially responsible if a textbook is intentionally misused.

West Valley is a tobacco free | smoke free facility in accordance with the State of California and CUSD Board Policy 3513.3. The possession of tobacco or any products containing tobacco or nicotine by any student is grounds for suspension.

Neighborhood students from all over the neighborhood in their commute to West Valley. West Valley is heavily impacted with traffic during morning drop off and afternoon pick up. With the high volume of daily traffic, note the importance of staying safe while driving or walking/biking/scooting to and from West Valley.

Truancy, as defined by California Legislature, states that “a student missing more than 30 minutes of instruction without an excuse three times during the school year” must be classified and reported as such. The law also states that the school district must notify the parent/ guardian with specific information related to the student’s unexcused absences or missing more than 30 minutes of instruction. A student is deemed habitual truant after an unexcused “three or more times in one school year and after appropriate school employee has made a conscientious effort to hold at least one meeting with the parent and the student.”

Truancy is not a matter to be taken lightly. California law states that the parent/legal guardian is obligated to compel the regular, on-- time attendance of their child(ren) 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).

Use of School GroundsCommunity organizations may request to use West Valley’s school grounds during daylight hours when school is not in session. See the CUSD website for information regarding permits.

If there is an emergency and a student needs to communicate with his/her parent/guardian during school hours, the teacher may send the student to the office to call the parent. Forgotten homework/books and school social events are not 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 calls in class or step out of class to accept a call. Contact the Front Office in the event of an emergency, and office staff will locate the student immediately.

Valet is a committee of parents and 4th and 5th Grade students who help with morning drop off in the parking lot. They greet everyone and help students get out of the car to keep the traffic moving along. Look for more information at the start of the school year about Valet in the Thursday folder. Parent volunteers are needed to help in this area.

Please contact the office for updated volunteering information/opportunities due to COVID protocols

Parents can volunteer their time to help students in many ways: assist the teachers in the classroom, photocopy, be lunchtime yard supervisors, serve as art/clay docents, chaperone field trips, compile book orders, help with reading groups, etc.

All volunteers are required to have a current TB Test, COVID-19 vaccinations and fingerprint clearance on file with the school office. Field trip chaperones, weekly volunteers, and any after school instructors are also required to have fingerprint clearance from the Department of Justice. Please contact the Front Office or check out the following link for more information: CUSD Volunteering Information

West Valley’s four school expectations are referred to as the Wildcat Be’s:

• Be Safe
• Be Respectful
• Be Responsible
• Be Courageous

All procedures in the various locations on school campus are designed to be simple and follow these basic guidelines.

Lost and Found

All lost clothing, water bottles, non-- library books, and lunch boxes are kept in the labeled Lost and Found bins. These items, if not claimed, are donated to charity on a periodic basis. Smaller lost valuables such as keys, watches, glasses, jewelry, cell phones, etc. are kept in the Front Office. To prevent unnecessary loss, please label all items with the student’s full name and classroom number. Please check the Lost and Found bin if you find an item missing.

Noon (Lunch) Time Volunteer (See the office for COVID Volunteer protocols)

Parent volunteers are welcome to help with monitoring lunch recess play.  Parents are welcome to spend a lunch period teaching students an activity. West Valley welcomes all special talents or passions to be shared with the students: knitting/crocheting, sports, games, crafts, dance, music. Please contact the Front Office if there is an interest in noon (lunch) time volunteering at any of the capacities listed above. 

School Portraits

The school photographer comes to take student portraits twice a year. Portrait order envelopes are sent home prior to the portrait day.

Student Council

The focus of the West Valley Student Council is to promote school pride and build a positive school community. Student Council Teachers help students develop leadership and communication skills through information gathering and discussions and stewardship.

Donations 

The Constitution of the State of California requires that we provide a public education to you free of charge. Your right to a free education is for all school/educational activities, whether curricular or extracurricular, and whether you get a grade for the activity or class. Subject to certain exceptions, your right to a free public education means that we cannot require you or your family to purchase materials, supplies, equipment or uniforms for any school activity, nor can we require you or your family to pay security deposits for access, participation, materials, or equipment. You may be required to attend a fundraising event; however, fundraising is voluntary, and you will not be prevented from participating in an educational activity because you are unable to raise money or donate goods or services.