Submit documents by uploading them directly to the application.
If you are having problems submitting documents in the application, please take a CLEAR/FULL (actual size) picture of the documents and email them to tpilara@wccusd.net. Paper documents are not accepted in person in the office
Please make sure the email you are registering with is one you check regularly, we send out all information to those email addresses.

When/How will I know if my student is enrolled?

The Fairmont office will send an email to let you know if your child has a space or not a few weeks after you register.
The enrollment period is an extremely busy time for office staff. Please do not call the office asking if your child has a space; we cannot tell you at the moment what number your child is.

Can I visit the school and/or meet the community in person? How do I connect with the community?

Check the new families page or sign up for the new TK/Kinder email list for updates on tours and community events.
Incoming families are welcome to attend the Open House in April for a tour, and the PTA hosts the all-school Multicultural Festival in March/April, Block Party in late May, and park playdates during the summer. We can’t wait to meet you!
You can also email pta@fairmontschool.org with more specific questions or to be connected with current families.

Contact Information

Fairmont Elementary:
724 Kearney St., El Cerrito, CA 94530
Main office phone: 510-231-1448
Heather Best, Principal: hbest@wccusd.net
Tina Pilara, Secretary: tpilara@wccusd.net
Cytlaly Gonzalez Cervantes, Attendance Clerk: cytlaly.gonzalezcerv@wccusd.net
PTA: pta@fairmontschool.org
Join the Fairmont PTA email list at this link. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe1Y2GHQoAiiK0AoZZDDN10vFtwIFcLRUbsToIb1jxsSETd-Q/viewform

Useful Links

WCCUSD New Family Enrollment
Fairmont Website: https://www.fairmontschool.org
PTA Google Calendar: https://www.fairmontschool.org/calendar
Public Fairmont Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fairmontelementaryschool/?hl=en
Fairmont Garden Program Website and Instagram
Private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1696392477306263
Ways to stay in touch: https://www.fairmontschool.org/get-involved-stay-connected

Day-to-Day at Fairmont

What will my student’s schedule be each day?

Kinder/TK Schedule:

8:37am Instruction Begins
9:30-9:50am Recess and Snack
11-11:20am K/TK Lunch
11:20-11:50a Recess
~1:15-1:40pm PE
1:45pm Pick-Up
6:00pm After Care ends (Registration required. Click here for more info.)

Click here for the school-wide bell schedule: https://www.fairmontschool.org/daily-bell-schedule

What is the drop-off and pick-up procedure?

Drop off and pick up for TK and Kindergarten happens via direct hand off from parent to teacher at the gate, both ways. You must remain with your child until the teacher lets him/her in, and you must be present promptly at 1:45pm every day to receive your child to go home. See the gate map here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1H_icIgXfdH7oC9Tx8W7GBIrmuZfGZztX/view?usp=share_link
The streets around the school are very crowded during drop-off and pick-up. The best and safest practice will be to walk to campus, or park a few blocks away.
The parking lot near the TK and Kindergarten gate is small, holds most of the staff cars, and is a shared space with the El Cerrito Library. Please do not plan to park in the lot for drop off or pick up, and do not block anyone's car with yours.

What is available for After Care? How do I sign up?

Aftercare at the Clubhouse (on campus, near the field) is run by the city of El Cerrito. Information will be updated at http://www.el-cerrito.org/childcare as it becomes available.
The district provides Aftercare through Bay Area Community Resources. Contact the school office for an application and more info (510-231-1448 or in-person.)
Students are picked up from class by the facilitators and walked to their programs
For first grade and above, there are also “FASEP” (Fairmont After School Enrichment Programs) run by the city of El Cerrito, known as “FASEP.” These are weekly classes like art, sports, science, and theater with more limited schedules. More info at http://www.el-cerrito.org/asep

How does my child get free lunch? Can I send my child with lunch from home? Are there any restrictions?

Breakfast and lunch are now free for all students. There is no need to sign up in advance, but your teacher may ask so that they can let the cafeteria know an approximate headcount.
All school-provided lunches are nut free and have a vegetarian option. For more details, see the district food services page here.
You are still welcome to send your own food if you prefer. Please ensure that your child can open all packages themselves without help, and avoid peanut and tree nuts.
Your child may also bring a nut-free snack to eat at the first recess period.

Where do students eat lunch?

Students will eat outside most of the time - please prepare your child for the possibility of sitting at a table or on the ground when outside.
On rainy days, students eat lunch in the Multi Purpose Room

What supplies do I need to send with my child?

All learning materials are provided by the school, but some personal items are recommended. Please label everything!

A backpack or bag (many community orgs have backpack giveaways in August)
A change of clothes is recommended, and can be left in the classroom.
A refillable water bottle
A small daily snack, like crackers, fruit, a nut-free energy bar, etc. (School provides breakfast at snacktime, but younger students often prefer a quick snack from home.)

How can I best help my student prepare to start TK and/or Kindergarten?

Help them to recognize their own name when written, even if they aren’t ready to write it yet. Students will see their name on tables, cubbies, etc, and it helps them to feel anchored more quickly.
Work with them on self-help skills: putting on their own shoes, opening containers for snack/lunch, cleaning up after an activity, using the bathroom alone.
Give them opportunities to practice fine motor skills like cutting with scissors, tearing tape, playing with clay, and drawing
Go to playdates and Fairmont events before school starts! Kids feel more at home when they see some familiar faces. Find out more at fairmontschool.org/newfamilies

How much do TK/Kinder students interact with others outside of their classrooms?

TK is more contained - they have a private play yard shared with a small Pre-K class and have playtime together. TK often joins the Kinder classes for their first recess on the big play yard, but does not intermingle with 1st-6th grade during lunch and recess.
Kindergarten classes are intermingled with each other for lunch, recess, and usually PE daily, but don’t share that time with other grades.
Sometimes Kindergarten classes will pair up with an upper-grade class and see them every other week. The kids have an older “buddy” and do activities designed to engage them socially and intellectually through play. (Ex: building paper towers, making music, etc)
There are some school wide events like the Halloween parade, Spirit Run and social events outside of the school day for the whole community.

How do students access the school garden?

Students may visit the garden during every recess! They choose when and how much they would like to participate. The garden teacher, Ms. Claire, provides various activities throughout the week and the year, and it is also a space for independent exploration.
Teachers may also choose to use the garden for their own activities and projects.
Sometimes we have special events there during recess like a visit from local farmers, cider-making, and more! If you have a skill or activity you’d like to share with the school community, contact pta@fairmontschool.org.
For more info, please visit the garden website here: https://www.fairmontgrows.com/

How do students access the school library?

Students visit the school library weekly with their class. If books are sent home, please return them one week later on their class library day.

How can I volunteer on campus and with students?

Fairmont relies on volunteers to make our school as awesome and nurturing as it is! You do not have to be a parent to volunteer, so feel free to pull in the grandparents and more. :)
To become a volunteer, you register for a badge from the district, which requires fingerprinting, background check, and proof of covid vaccination. You can learn more about that process and get started here.
It takes a while to receive your badge, so we recommend that you start as soon as possible.
We especially love volunteers during lunch (11a-1p). Reach out to the PTA if you are interested. You can come any time during that window - every little bit helps.
Many teachers will let you know if/when parent help is needed in the classroom. If you can offer any special kind of instruction (ex: art, science, etc), please let your teacher know.
Volunteers are also needed for field trips, special visits on campus, or special events like our Fall Festival or Spring Block Party. These are all fun ways to get to know the community!

How many classes are there? Who will my student’s teacher be?

We have 2 TK class and 3 Kindergarten classes, all with 22 students each. (TK has an aide in addition to the teacher.)
The kindergarten teachers use what is called a "soft start", where all of the students spend time with each of the three teachers before final class assignments are made.This means that you will not know your definitive teacher until after the first week of school. Thank you for understanding that this is intended to create equitable classes.

Who do I contact with concerns about my student during the school year?

Please always contact your child's teacher with any concerns first. The teacher's contract requires that they have the first chance to solve an issue before it comes to administration.
If the teacher is unable to address your concern, at that point you should reach out to Principal Heather Best.

What are the Covid-19 and other Illness Policies?

Our district follows the guidelines provided by the California Dept of Public Health, available here: https://schools.covid19.ca.gov/
Anyone with a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea must stay out of school for 24 hours AFTER their symptoms stop. That means that if your child goes home from school early with a fever one day, they may not come back to school the next morning even if they feel better.
Please report positive Covid test results to your teacher and the school office (510-231-1448).
The office maintains a supply of rapid antigen tests and masks for use by students and staff. Please request one if needed.
Wearing a well-fitting quality mask reduces the likelihood of transmission of respiratory illness, including Covid-19. For more on prevention strategies, see: https://www.cdc.gov/covid/prevention/index.html

I keep hearing I should fill out my Annual School Forms, but how do I do it?

You will be provided with a new enrolled-student login for Powerschool after the school year starts. You do not need to complete any forms before you receive that login.
Please see this sheet first and follow all of the directions: Annual School Forms Instructions for Parent_Guardian English
If you have completed your annual forms completely as described above, then you will receive the school email and district contacts. You must have an updated email address entered in your contacts and a valid phone number to receive the communication.
If you’ve followed all of these directions and still need assistance, Ms. Tina, school secretary, can help: tpilara@wccusd.net

What are all these communication platforms I’m being asked to join?

Info as of Aug 2024:

PowerSchool: you’ll use this to register for school in WCCUSD, and create a login. Later you’ll be asked to access it with a new login from the school to fil out forms, etc. This usually happens a week or two after
ClassDojo: app that many teachers use as a primary communication tool for class-related info. You’ll receive an invitation from your teacher if they are using it. You can use it to message your teacher as well.
ParentSquare: app/platform used by WCCUSD for district-wide communication (ex: newsletters from the superintendent, policy changes, lunch menus, news about other schools.) Some teachers elect to use this for their main form of communication as well.
PeachJar: flyers distributed by the district for outside events and programs
You’ll also get regular old emails and pre-recorded voicemails from the school.
The PTA’s goal is to have a few parents at each grade-level to act as connectors for their cohort. Connectors let their cohorts know the most important info, relay info back to the PTA, and can field questions. Maybe that’s you!

Recommended Outings from Other Parents (Just for fun!)

Thanks to the parents at the 2023 TK/Kinder Info Session for these!

Albany Bulb
Pt Reyes
Little Farm and Jewel Lake at Tilden
Stinson Beach
Cesar Chavez Park
Richmond Harbor (for scooting and biking)
Tilden Steam Trains
Hike at Carquinez Regional Park - you can often see the train to/from Sac by the dock
Blake Gardens
Solano Playlet in Richmond, a perfect enclosed little playground to let em loose
Hiking in the Hillside Natural Area
Tennessee Valley hike
John Muir Natl Historic Site in Martinez
Keller Beach, Berkeley Marina, Adventure Playground, Castro Park
Virgina McGee Totland
Children’s Fairyland
Point Pinole
Tunnel Tops Playground and open space at the Presidio in San Francisco