Skip to main content
Main Menu Toggle
To translate this website into another language, please use the Google Translate box
For Families » Policies and Procedures

Policies and Procedures

The following are the policies and procedures from the Mariposa Family Handbook, including:

 

  • School Visitors
  • Homework Policy
  • Attendance Policies
  • Dress Code
  • Health Policy
  • Wellness Policy
  • Technology Policy
  • Emergency Drills
  • Emergency/Disaster

 

School Visitors

All visitors are required to check in and out at the office during school hours and wear a visitor badge while on campus. 

Homework Policy

The San Carlos School District has been actively involved in rethinking the homework policy in our school system. This has led to the passage of our new Homework/Learning Beyond School Hours policy by the SCSD board. This policy supports the following practices for our 4th and 5th graders:

 

  • Students (with the assistance of their teacher) will be encouraged to create personalized ‘at-home learning’ goals, which will also complement and deepen their in class learning experiences
  • Students will be encouraged to work independently or collaboratively on activities that will enhance an assigned piece of writing, experiment or project
  • Students are expected to engage in daily reading, which is considered key to each child's long-term success as a learner
  • Students are expected to engage in near-daily Math practice and/or problem solving, as assigned by the teacher or further extended by the student (which might include online programs such as Khan Academy, Front Row, etc.) 

 

In other words, we are finding ways to give students homework that makes sense. Ultimately, we want students to strengthen their academic skills but not at the expense of exploring extracurricular passions, connecting with friends and family, relaxing, eating and sleeping. 

 

 

Attendance Policies

 

Punctual and regular attendance is extremely important for a student to be successful at school. Additionally, due to current funding laws for public schools, absences cause schools to lose funding for the day, regardless of whether these absence was excused or unexcused. 

 

Absences

 

If a student is absent for any reason, a parent/guardian must inform the school office as soon as possible by calling the main office at 650-832-4201. The main office voicemail system is available 24 hours a day. 

 

Truancy

 

A student who misses school entirely or a portion of the day without appropriate permission is considered truant. Truancy is a serious offense. If three or more days are missed and not excused, a letter will be sent home explaining the next steps in the process. 

 

Tardiness

 

All students are required to be on time to school. Students are also expected to be on time to classes throughout the day. If a student is struggling with being on time to school or to his/her classes, the Mariposa school staff will discuss the problem and support the student to improve this behavior. If a student has 3 or more 30 minute or greater unexcused tardies, this is considered to be a truancy issue and thus will be addressed with a letter home outlining the next steps in the process to support the student. 

 

Appointments during the school day

 

If a student must leave school during the day for any reason, a parent/guardian will need to make this request and inform the school office. When leaving school, a parent/guardian must sign out the student in the office. If the student returns to school after the appointment, a parent/guardian will need to sign the student back into class. 


Dress Code 

The purpose of this dress code is to ensure a safe and productive learning environment for students at Mariposa School.

  • Clothing should be comfortable, appropriate for outdoor play and not distract from learning. Clothing with inappropriate themes is not permitted.
  • Safe shoes should be worn daily – no flip-flops, wheelies, platform shoes or dress shoes. Tennis shoes are highly recommended!
  • Caps, hats and sunglasses may be worn outdoors only.
  • Jewelry and accessories can be distracting in class and are not recommended.

 

Cell Phone Policy

 

We are a “Cell Phone Free” school. While we understand it is the digital age and families may wish to provide their child a cell phone for emergency and safety reasons, phones must be turned off and put in backpacks when students enter our campus. No cell phones are allowed out on campus between 8:15 and 3:05. If you need to contact your child, please call our office. Likewise, we provide a student-phone in the office for students to call you during breaks. 

It is highly discouraged to provide your child with a Smartphone. Research shows that it can be detrimental to the mental health of younger students. We have also had a significant issue with peer conflicts via text message and social media outside of school. If you decide to provide your child with a phone, consider a “Gizmo” watch, flip phone, or other low tech device. 

 

Health Policy

 

All injuries should be reported to a teacher or staff member. If a student becomes ill at school, he/she should report to the office after informing his/her teacher. The office personnel will assess the student and contact parents/guardians if the student needs to be sent home. If a student needs to take any form of medication at school, a signed authorization from the physician and medication in the original prescription container must be provided to the office. Over the counter medication is NOT available in the office. Students with special medical conditions or physical injuries that impact participation in P.E. must have a note brought to the office indicating what the student can and cannot do. 

 

Wellness Policy 


In order to create a more rigorous teaching and learning environment, and to promote better health and inclusion, we will follow the Wellness Policy established by SCSD. Research indicates that healthier bodies, minds, emotions, and environments lead to more positive school and life learning experiences. Mariposa fully supports all avenues for increasing student success.  We summarize below the main points of our Wellness Policy: 

  • Food will not be used as a reward or punishment

  • Junk foods (candy, soda, chips, gum, etc.) are discouraged for snacks or lunches
  • Students will be recognized on their birthdays with special Mariposa non-food related items.  Please do not bring food to school to celebrate birthdays.

 

Technology Policy 


All students are expected to handle school equipment with care and respect. Technology provides important educational tools, yet also requires some oversight. Strong software filters and teacher/staff supervision will be in place during Internet use. All student technology shall be turned off while on campus and use is not allowed, except with staff permission. Inappropriate use or handling of technology equipment while on campus or field excursions may elicit disciplinary action. Students may open their email accounts for at-school use (required for some programs we use, such as Google Docs). This year students and parents will be required to complete an additional technology agreement paper. This is to support in the transition to 4th and 5th grade where we do a great deal of work on the computers. We want to teach students how to use a computer safely. If you have questions about this, please refer to the District’s Board Policy on Student Use of Technology: [http://gamutonline.net/district/sancarlos/DisplayPolicy/937396/],  or speak with your child's teacher. 

 

Emergency Drills 


Emergency drills will be conducted monthly throughout the school year. All students are expected to listen to instructions, to follow established protocols, and to conduct themselves in a most respectful manner. Any parents/visitors on campus during a drill must participate. 

 

Emergency/Disaster

 

In the event of an emergency situation, Mariposa and Tierra Linda both have emergency/safety plans to ensure the safety of the students and adults. Mariposa and Tierra Linda  share a well-stocked emergency shed, including water, food, and medical supplies. Additionally, the campus is connected by emergency radio with the SCSD district office, and the other school campuses for coordination purposes. Both Mariposa and Tierra Linda coordinate emergency drills so that all students and adults are trained to respond to an emergency.