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Handbook

Dennis Chavez Handbook

DCES Parent Handbook 2024-2025

Handbook Essentials

Attendance Policy

APS School Attendance Policies and Procedural Directives

Regular attendance is a key to school success. Students can learn only if they are on time and present in class daily. School districts and schools are held accountable for ensuring that all students meet high academic standards. On time, daily attendance is a critical component of this educational process.

It is understood that sometimes families may need support to help their child be successful. School staff can assist with locating possible resources within the school community.

School Attendance Procedures

  • A parent/guardian must notify the school that the student will be absent. Call 821-1810, ext2 for the DCES Attendance Line OR the parent may enter absence on ParentVue account. 
  • A parent/guardian must notify the school each day that a student is signing out before the end of the instructional day in accordance with the notification procedure established by the school officials.
  • Teachers will take attendance daily.

Early Outs
Please limit late student check-outs (after 2:00 pm) to emergencies only.  This is a busy time in the classroom and important class reminders/announcements are shared.

Make-­‐Up Work

  • Students may complete work for all absences.
  • Students and/or parents are responsible for requesting make-­up assignments.
  • Students will have the opportunity to complete the work in a period of time equal to the number of days absent unless other arrangements have been mutually agreed upon by the parent and the teacher.
  • Teachers may need 24 hours from the time of the request to compile assignments

Deliveries to Students (including lunch deliveries)

Gifts: Due to potential student allergies or health concerns, we cannot deliver any gifts, flowers, or balloons to classrooms. If you wish to send in a birthday/holiday treat please communicate with your child’s teacher to discuss the classroom policy.

Lunch: We will make every effort to deliver lunch boxes to students if forgotten at home.

Fast food: Please limit fast food lunch deliveries to your child.  This often causes a disruption to the classroom and other students.  Sugary drinks/sodas will not be permitted. If fast food delivery becomes frequent or becomes a problem, we may ask you to stop bringing fast food lunches to school.  Door Dash and other food deliveries are not permitted. 

 

Before and After School Arrival/Dismissal Procedures

Thank you for adhering to the following expectations regarding Drop/Off and Pick/Up. We have put these procedures in place due to student safety. We need to ensure all students remain safe until the student and traffic flow subsides. Failure to follow the below expectations will result in APS/APD Police becoming involved to assist us in ensuring our students safety.

Before and After School: Playground Closed

The campus, including the playground, will be closed from 7:00 am-3:30 pm.  Visitors are not allowed on the playground.  We have duty staff on the playground before school beginning at 7:20 am,  during recesses, and after school due to safety precautions.

Family members may walk their child to the gates near the playground before school to drop them off for the day. 

Do not drop your child off before 7:20 am. If it is an abbreviated school day (inclement weather delay), please do not drop your child off before 9:20 pm.

Visitors are not allowed on the playground after school.  When the bell rings, students will be dismissed to the parent pick up lane, the buses, after school program, or may meet family members or walk home from the front of the school. 

During the first few days of school, parents/guardians may walk students to their line up spots on the playground to help their child find their class/teacher.  The principal will announce when the closed campus rules will begin.  The campus will remain closed from 7:00 am -3:30 pm for safety and security reasons.

Parent Drop Off and Pick Up Lane Information

AM -­ The gates will open at 7:20 am each morning.  If you arrive after 7:35 am, you must park and escort your child to the main office to be checked in for the day.

Our staff will be on duty beginning at 7:20 am. Students may not arrive before this time as there is no adult on the playground for supervision. The front parking lot is not a drop of zone. Do not use this area to drop off your student. You can enter the designated area on the north side of our campus off Barstow.

Before the gates open at 7:20 am, please wait on Barstow right at the entrance to the car lane. There is usually a line and it is not respectful to cut in front of the line of cars waiting.   Please do not pull into the car drop-off lane prior to 7:20 am, which blocks the staff parking lot.

Students may only be let out of their cars when a duty teacher is present at the drop off area.

PM -­ The gates will open at 2:00 pm. Any students left in the Parent Pick-­‐Up lane will be taken to the office.

Parent Drop Off and Pick Up Lane Procedures:

  1. Driver must remain in the vehicle at all times
  2. Pull ALL THE WAY FORWARD as directed by the duty staff (3 cars can unload in the unloading zone at a time)
  3. Students must exit/enter from the passenger side of the vehicle ONLY
  4. Exit and turn West on San Francisco
  5. If these procedures are not convenient for you, please park your vehicle and use the crosswalk to come on campus
Parking Lots
Front Lot (Facing Barstow) – Staff and Guest Parking

This is NOT a drop-­off /pick-­up lane.  This lot is for visitors with on-campus meetings, late arrivals/early dismissals, and designated preschool, SCS, IGS parking permit vehicles.  Preschool, SCS, and IGS eligible students will receive a parking permit.  Visitor parking is available beginning at 7:35 am, after the tardy bell.

South Lot (facing San Francisco) – Staff Parking

AM-­‐ Our back lot is reserved for Staff Members. Due to safety and traffic flow, the ENTRANCE closes at 7:30 am and opens up at 7:35 am. This is NOT a drop-­‐off/pick-­‐up lane. Families can use this parking lane for RGEC before school drop off PRIOR to 7:20 am.

North Parking Lot (north of the basketball courts)- Staff Parking

This is designated as overflow parking for our staff and is open to visitors after 8:00 am.

Bus Lane

The Bus Lane is reserved for BUSSES ONLY. Busses come and go throughout the day, therefore, cars are not allowed to drop off, pick up, or park in this area at any time.

Walking to School

Please use the crosswalks to cross safely. These are the only safe areas in which to cross. If you cross in any other area, you are putting your child and yourself at risk for a serious accident. Crosswalks are located at the corner of San Francisco and Barstow as well as the corner of Tina and Barstow. Please do not allow your child to cross through parking lots, instead, use the sidewalks.