Family-Student Handbook

For safety and health reasons, pets are not allowed on school grounds. Dogs may not be walked on campus, and pets may not be brought to school unless special arrangements are made in advance with the teacher and principal. The only exception is licensed guide dogs.

Please review our commitment to providing a safe, inclusive school environment and our clear expectations, definitions, and responsibilities for preventing, identifying, and addressing bullying.

Please take a moment to review our attendance and dismissal guidelines to help keep all students safe and supported. Knowing these expectations ensures your child has a smooth start and end to each school day.

Regular attendance and punctuality are key to student success, and Patterson Elementary is committed to helping every child build these positive habits. Please take a moment to review the attendance guidelines to ensure your student is set up for a strong start each day.

Please review our birthday celebration guidelines, which encourage inclusive, non-food ways to recognize students while honoring health, safety, and equity in our classrooms.

Breakfast opens at 8 a.m. for all students. All students receive free breakfast daily. We stop serving breakfast promptly at 8:20 a.m. Any student who arrives after 8:20 a.m. will not be served breakfast. Unfortunately, due to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations, students are not allowed to take food out of the cafeteria.

Please take a moment to review our important transportation and safety reminders for students who ride the bus or bike to school. Following these rules helps ensure that all students stay safe and continue to enjoy their privileges.

Students may bring cell phones to school. However, with this privilege comes responsibility. Cell phones must remain off or on silent and be stored in backpacks or locked up with the teacher during school hours. The school is not responsible if a phone is lost, stolen, or damaged.

To help protect valuable learning time, please review our guidelines for student check-outs and early release. Following these procedures ensures student safety and minimizes classroom disruptions.

We are required to have current phone numbers, addresses, and contact information for all our students. This is important in case of an emergency, so we are able to contact you. Please review these important school procedures and communication resources to ensure your student’s records, health needs, transfers, and family updates are accurate and up to date.

Please review our guidelines for student communication, phone use, and item drop-offs to help minimize classroom disruptions and support a focused learning environment.

Please review how our school’s academic program and enrichment opportunities work together—through strong instruction, STEAM integration, technology, and community partnership—to support the success of every child.

Please take a moment to review our guidelines to help keep our school safe, respectful, and supportive for all students. These reminders ensure that personal belongings are protected and that every child comes to school ready to learn in a positive environment.

Help us keep our campus safe by reviewing our drop-off and pick-up expectations. By driving carefully, following staff directions, and modeling respect, we can ensure a smooth and safe experience for all students, families, and staff.

The English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) plays an important role in ensuring that the voices and needs of English learners are represented and supported at our school. We encourage families and community members to get involved—your input makes a difference!

Regular school attendance is vital to student success, and absences are only excused for health or justifiable personal reasons under the law. Please take a moment to review the district’s attendance policy to ensure you are familiar with the requirements for verifying absences.

Please review information about our Expanded Learning after-school program, which offers academic support and enrichment opportunities for students on a space-available basis.

Please review these student behavior expectations to understand the standards for safety, responsibility, respect, and appropriate conduct required at school.

Please review our homework expectations, which emphasize daily reading and balanced practice to support learning at home without taking the place of valuable family time.

Please review how our LCAP-funded programs provide targeted instructional support and enrichment opportunities, including invitation-only after-school reading and math interventions designed to meet the unique needs of every student.

Our lost and found is located near the multipurpose room (MPR) on the coat rack. Items found around campus are placed there. Students and families are welcome and encouraged to look for lost items. Items not claimed at the end of each month will be donated to a local clothing donation center.

The school office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Our office manager and our office secretary look forward to serving you and answering any questions you may have. Our Bilingual Community Liaison is also available to support our Spanish-speaking families.

We invite you to take a moment to review Grace Patterson Elementary School’s mission and values, which guide everything we do to support our students. Your feedback helps us strengthen our commitment to creating a safe, supportive, and inspiring learning environment where every child can thrive.

We are fortunate to have strong parent involvement and have a number of parents helping out in school events/activities. We believe that strong relationships between home and school are critical for student success.

Please review how our PBIS framework—aligned with the Mindful Life Project and PAX—supports a safe, equitable learning environment by explicitly teaching and reinforcing positive student behaviors.

Please review our reporting and communication schedule, including report cards, progress reports, conferences, and the ongoing partnership between school and home to support your child’s success.

Please review how our restorative justice approach builds accountability, strengthens community safety, and develops students’ social-emotional skills by providing tools and language to address conflict, repair harm, and grow together.

Please review our school safety information outlining required emergency drills, preparedness procedures, and how families will be notified in the event of an actual emergency.

Help shape our school’s future by getting involved in the School Site Council! Review how the SSC works with families, staff, and the principal to guide school improvement goals and budget priorities.

We are committed to supporting healthy habits for all students. Please review the lunch and snack guidelines below to help us create a positive, nourishing environment for every child.

The Student Success Team (SST) is here to support students by bringing together families, teachers, and staff to create positive solutions that help every child thrive. We encourage you to review how an SST meeting can be a valuable step in maximizing your child’s potential.

Please take a moment to review our tardy policy. Arriving on time ensures students don’t miss valuable instruction and helps maintain a smooth, uninterrupted learning environment.

Please take a moment to review our library and computer-use policies with your student. Returning the signed forms ensures they can fully enjoy borrowing materials and using school technology responsibly.

Regular school attendance is essential for student success, and California law clearly defines when a student is considered truant. Please review the information below to understand how absences, tardies, and early releases may lead to official truancy notices and required next steps.

It is important that parents know and understand what is happening in their child’s classroom. We encourage you to observe or volunteer in your child’s class. However, it is important to follow certain guidelines while visiting or volunteering so that teaching and learning are not disrupted.

We value the time and support of our parents and community members! Please take a moment to review our visitor and volunteer guidelines to help us keep our campus safe, organized, and welcoming for all.

Welcome to Grace Patterson Elementary School – Home of the Lions! I am looking forward to another successful year together! I am so happy that you and your child are part of the Patterson Pride.