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The board of trustees establishes policies for the operation of the School.
These policies cover a wide range of topics including budgeting, tuition, admission
of siblings, fundraising, student life, learning differences, building use,
harassment, child abuse and tutoring by faculty. It is not possible to publish
them all in this handbook. Parents may request information about school policies
from the head of school or president of the board of trustees or consult the
policy binder at the front desk.
Absences
Arrival
and Dismissal
Attendance
Behavior
Child
Abuse
Dress
Code
Drug
and Alcohol Policy
Field
Trips
Harassment
Policy
Health/Emergency
Record
Illness
and Medication
Lice Alert Protocols
Lost
and Found
Lunch
and Snack
Parent
Visits
Parties
Probation
Progress
Reports
Religious
Tolerance
Security
Procedures
Smoking
Toys
and Electronic Devices at School
Absences
Please call the School (931-2422) before 8:30 a.m. each day your child is absent.
You may leave a message before 8:00 a.m. or speak directly with the receptionist
after 8:00 a.m. If you have not left a message by 9:00 a.m., the receptionist
will call to verify the absence. In upper school, homework buddies will leave
assignments with the receptionist to be picked up after dismissal.

Arrival and Dismissal
School Hours
| Grade 2 |
8:30 am - 3:00pm |
| Grades 3-4 |
8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (Monday, Friday)
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) |
The School strongly urges families to car pool or use public transportation
in the interests of the environment and in anticipation of 400 students arriving
and leaving simultaneously. The School has established the following procedures
as a courtesy to our neighbors and to ensure safe and speedy drop-off and pick-up
for our students.
Arrival
| Doors open: |
Golden Gate 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
Masonic 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. |
Students arriving by car are dropped off at the Golden Gate entrance where
administrators and faculty welcome them.
For safety reasons do not double park, make U-turns, park on sidewalks or block
neighboring driveways. Students should NEVER be dropped off or picked up on Masonic Avenue.
A crossing guard is posted during arrival and dismissal at the corner of Masonic
and Golden Gate for children who will be walking or arriving via Muni.
Children arriving before 8:00 a.m. will be supervised in the Golden Gate lobby.
At 8:00 a.m. lower school students may go to the roof for supervised play or
to classrooms until school begins.
Dismissal
For the safety of our students, families must provide the School with information
regarding students' dismissal arrangements, including the names of adults authorized
to pick them up.
No changes in a child's dismissal routine will be allowed without written notification
from the family to the front desk and classroom teacher.
Students may not remain beyond dismissal time unless they are attending AEP,
library study hall or other school-sponsored
activities.
Kindergarten and grade 1 are dismissed at 2:15 p.m. at the Golden Gate
entrance. Car pool numbers are not used at the 2:15 p.m. dismissal.
Grades 2-8 are dismissed as follows:
Car Riders: Students are held at the Golden Gate entrance until their car is announced, at which time they are sent to meet their driver. Drivers should not arrive before dismissal time. At dismissal time, drivers should form a line along Golden Gate Avenue
Walkers/Muni riders: Students walking or using public transportation
are dismissed via the Masonic entrance. Adults picking up "walkers"
must park legally, leave their cars and meet students in the courtyard.

Attendance
It is important for children's academic progress that they attend school every
day. A student who is absent misses explanations, discussion and classroom activities
that cannot be recovered.
Please plan trips for the announced vacation periods, social affairs for weekends
and other engagements for after-school hours. Any student who will be absent
for reasons other than illness must secure a future absence slip, which must
be signed by teachers and parents, and turned in to the office at least one
full day before the day of absence. Responsibility for obtaining work missed
during such absences rests with the parents and the student. In the upper school handbook there are clearly articulated policies and practices relating to make up work after absenses.
Tardiness: Upper school students are expected to be in class and ready
to begin working at 8:00 a.m., lower school students at 8:30 a.m. Students arriving
after this time must check in at the front desk before going to their classroom.
Leaving During the School Day: Students needing to leave for any reason
during the day must notify the School in advance. For lower school students,
a written message to the classroom teacher will suffice. Upper school students
should bring a written message to the receptionist the day before or upon arrival
in the morning.Parents must pick up children in the lobby; students are not
allowed to stand outside and wait for parents.

Behavior
San Francisco Day School educates and nurtures children according to the highest
standards of academic excellence and responsible behavior. The School strives
to help each child develop a strong sense of self-esteem balanced by respect
and appreciation for others. Children are expected to participate in creating
a kind and supportive community.
To ensure that the Day School is a safe place where children can play and learn,
all members of our community are expected to demonstrate:
- compassion
- integrity
- responsibility
There are certain behaviors that will not be tolerated within our community:
- verbal or physical conduct hurtful to others (including name calling, inappropriate
language, severe aggression, harassment)
- destruction or vandalism of property
- lying or cheating
- stealing
- leaving campus without an adult
- possession or use of alcohol, tobacco or illegal drugs
- possession of weapons
When the School's expectations are not met, classroom teachers will intervene
and communicate with parents as necessary. When infractions arise outside the
classroom, any staff member may respond. In some situations, an upper school
teacher may issue a discipline slip to document the event and to inform parents.
If the inappropriate behavior is particularly harmful or is a repeated infraction,
the division head will contact the parents to discuss ways to resolve the situation
and help the student meet community standards. Strategies may include:
- a meeting of the parents and teachers
- sending a student home for the remainder of the day
- in-school suspension
- loss of certain privileges, such as recess, after-school sports or field
trips
Repeated occurrences are of particular concern because they interfere with
the learning process and have a detrimental impact on the rest of the School
community. Students who demonstrate such a pattern may be placed on probation
while the administration considers whether continued enrollment at SFDS is appropriate.
In instances of extremely inappropriate, persistent or disruptive behavior,
the administration may take more severe measures, including suspension or expulsion
from school.

Child Abuse
In compliance with California state law, teachers and school staff who suspect child abuse in any of the categories listed below must file a report immediately or as soon as practical by phone, followed by a written report within 36 hours.
- Physical abuse
- Physical neglect
- Sexual abuse
- Emotional maltreatment

Dress Code
All students are expected to wear clean and neat clothing that is appropriate
for school and free of tears and holes. Shoes must be safe and suitable for
active outdoor play. Sturdy, rubber-soled shoes are required for P.E. classes.
Parents will be contacted by the classroom teacher or division head if a student
is not dressed appropriately.
The following are not acceptable:
- tank tops, bare midriffs or underwear showing
- hats
- clothing with inappropriate language or logos
- make-up may not be brought to school. If make-up worn by a student is considered
inappropriate or distracting, a teacher may ask the student to remove it.

Drug and Alcohol Policy
The School's policy concerning drugs and alcohol is to work toward achieving
several goals: (1) to maintain a learning environment that is entirely free from
the influence of drugs and alcohol; (2) to educate students in an age-appropriate
manner about issues relating to the use of drugs and alcohol; and (3) to assist
and support individual students and families having difficulty with substance
abuse. For further information, see the full drug and alcohol policy in the
policy binder at the front desk. Alcohol is not served at events on campus when students are present.

Field Trips
Life outside the walls of the School can be a great teacher, and the City offers
a rich curriculum. Transportation is generally arranged in private cars or on
public transportation. Every precaution is taken to safeguard the students on
these trips. When traveling in private cars, all students must use seat belts
and may not sit in the front seat. Neither the School nor the parents furnishing
the cars for the trips can assume complete responsibility for participating
students.
The School's insurance carrier requires that parents who drive have on file
with the School a form documenting their auto insurance coverage as follows:
Bodily Injury Limits of $250,000 per person, $500,000 per accident and Property
Damage of $50,000
or Combined Single Limit of $500,000 per accident

Harassment Policy
The School is committed to creating an environment free of harassment. School
policy prohibits sexual harassment and harassment based on pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, race, religion, color, national origin or ancesty,
physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, age, gender, sexual orientation, family care status, veteran status or any other basis protected by law. All such harassment is unlawful. No teacher, administrator, other employee, adult visitor of the school or student is allowed to engage in any form of harassment on or off the campus at any time.
If you believe that you or your child have been or are being harassed sexually or becuase of any of the other reasons listed above, you should immediately contact the head of school, following up with a written complaint that provides as much detail as possible. The School will
immediately undertake a thorough and objective investigation of the allegations.
If the School determines that unlawful harassment has occurred, effective remedial
action will be taken in accordance with the circumstances involved.

Health/Emergency Record
No student will be allowed to attend school until parents complete and return
the student Health/Emergency Record. This form is kept on file to document important
medical information and your consent for the School to obtain emergency medical
help for your child. It also lists the names of persons authorized to pick up
your child in case of an emergency.

Illness and Medication
For the welfare of all, please do not send a child who is not feeling well
to school. The control of contagious diseases depends on the cooperation of
all families in the School. Please observe the following rules:
- Children should not be in school with a fever and should be kept home until
24 hours after a fever subsides. A child who has vomited during the night
should be not be sent to school the next morning unless you are sure he or
she is well.
- If your child contracts a contagious disease, please notify the School
immediately. The School will notify other parents of any exposure to a contagious
disease in their child's class.
- The Health/Emergency Record should detail any allergies
or special health needs. You must inform the School of new allergies or special
health needs that may arise during the school year.
Medication: Upon written request by the family, the division office
staff will administer prescription medication to students. Medication must be
sent to school in the original container with dosage information on the label.
Medication must be shown to the classroom teacher and then taken to the division
office. Students are not allowed to carry medication with them during the school
day. Dispensation of medication is recorded in our medical log.
Tylenol can be given to students when necessary during the school day if parents
have granted permission by signing the appropriate section of the Student/Family
Information Form.
Students who feel ill may rest in the sick room until parents arrive to pick
them up. In the case of a medical emergency, the School will call 911 and notify
parents as soon as possible.

Lice Alert Protocols
- As soon as a case of lice is known or reported, the front office staff will send an email notice to all families.
- Division Heads will determine whether we will employ the services of an experienced lice-checker and inform parents in advance of the check.
- Division Heads will ask several parent volunteers to be available to stay with the children who are identified as having lice.
- The office staff and parent volunteers will call parents to pick up children who have lice or nits and will maintain a record of the results of each call. If parents cannot be reached, we will call the emergency contact person. Calls will continue for each child until an adult is contacted.
- Children will be readmitted to school after being checked by trained personnel.
- Ten days to two weeks after an outbreak, the school may recheck the children who had lice or nits.
- Families with persistent cases (lice remain after two or more checks) will be asked to remain out of school for 24-48 hours to treat lice.

Lost and Found
Families are strongly encouraged to mark every item of outerwear and lunch boxes with the student's
name. We will attempt to return all marked items to the student. Remaining items will be displayed
in the Lost and Found area near the Golden Gate lobby for 30 days. Any unclaimed items left longer than 30 days will be donated.

Lunch and Snack
Lunch service is available, or students may bring all or part of their lunch from home. The lunch service offers a hot entree, sald bar, sandwiches, yogurt, fruit, and other choices. Parents may view details regarding their child's account, including food purchased and the balance of their account, on the School's website. A positive balance will be maintained on school lunch accounts. Questions about the School's lunch program may be directed to the Facilities Manager, Danny De Leon.
Students bringing lunch to school should use a sturdy container (NO GLASS)
and thermos, clearly marked with the child's name. In keeping with the School's
concern for good nutrition, please do not send candy, soda or junk food to school.
Upper school students have snacks either in the morning or afternoon, depending on thier lunch schedule. Students are encouraged to bring a nutritious snack

Parent Visits
In order to maintain a normal flow of the school day and to ensure that the
educational process is not interrupted, the School prefers that parents limit
visits to classrooms. The best way to learn about your child's class
is to volunteer. Your child's teacher, class roomparent or the School's
volunteer coordinator can provide information on the volunteer opportunities
available for parents. Parents who wish to visit classrooms outside of the many
regular opportunities provided may do so with the approval of the division head. In addition, parents should refrain from any use of cell phones while in the building

Parties
As part of our effort to build an inclusive community, we ask that you be sensitive
to all the details of parties and other gatherings outside of school. Social exclusion is as harmful to those being asked to participate in exlusivity as it is to those who are excluded. It is important to realize that while these are outside events, their impact on life at school can be considerable. Invitations to parties should be sent through the US mail, not passed out at school. Children should not talk about the party or event at school if not everyone is invited.

Probation
An upper school student with consistently low effort grades or low achievement
grades will be counseled carefully regarding his or her progress. A student
earning two or more year-end grades of D or lower may not be matriculated automatically
into the next grade. Parents will meet with the upper school head, advisor and
teachers to discuss the advisability of continued enrollment. The re-enrollment
contract may be withheld pending the division head's recommendation.

Progress Reports
Progress reports are mailed to families in February and June. Teachers write reports that describe a student's development
and effort in academic and social/emotional areas. The report also includes
comments from the art, music, science and physical education teachers.
Upper school progress reports, beginning with the second term of fifth grade,
use letter grades to describe academic achievement. Each letter grade is also
accompanied by a numerical rating describing the student's effort. Narrative
comments from each teacher provide more detailed information. The June progress
report also includes the advisor's summary statement on personal growth including
citizenship, responsibility and attitude.

Religious Tolerance
As part of our commitment to be a supportive and inclusive community, the School
strives to respect the many religious groups represented at the Day School.
Assemblies throughout the year recognize and celebrate the many traditions of
our community members. Parents are encouraged to share with teachers any special
information about family traditions that might be helpful in enriching the education
of all students. We support students in their observation of religious and cultural
holidays and ask parents to inform teachers in advance if students will be absent.
For more specific information, please refer to the policy on religious tolerance
in the policy binder at the front desk.

Security Procedures
The school has two entrance doors that are accessible as follows:
Masonic: Doors open from 8:00am - 4:00pm
Golden Gate: Doors open from 7:30am - 8:45am & 2:00pm - 6:00pm (Doors are also open for any after-school events)
In order to maintain the safety of all students, the Masonic door is monitored by a receptionist and the Golden Gate door is monitored by a security guard. All visitors, including
parents, must sign in with the receptionist or security guard when entering and wear a visitor/parent badge, supplied by the receptionist or security guard, while on campus. Parents and visitors
are asked to return the badge and sign out when leaving the campus.
Please note that from 8:45am - 2:00pm the Golden Gate door will be armed with an audible alarm. During this time parents and visitors should no attempt to enter or exit through the door as this will trigger the alarm.

Smoking
The San Francisco Day School campus is a smoke-free environment; smoking is
not allowed in the building or on the grounds.

Toys and Electronic Devices at School
Children should not bring electronic devices or toys to school except when requested by the classroom teacher. Personal listening devices and electronic games should be left at home. Cell phones are allowed, but must be left in student's locker until after dismissal.

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