ARGONAUT ELEMENTARY

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FAMILY HANDBOOK

2026-2027

TABLE OF CONTENTS

03

Welcome Letter & Agreement

04

The Bear Way

05

Schoolwide Expectations

06

What to Bring to School

07

Personal Technology

08

School Dress Code

09

Lunchtime Procedures

10

Biking/Walking to School

11

Arrival and Dismissal Procedures

12

Traffic Queue

Classroom Observation/Visitors

14

Teacher Communication

13

Volunteer Clearance

21

Attendance

19

Bullying Policy

18

Behavioral Expectations

15

WELCOME

Dear Argonaut Elementary Families,

Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year! It is my pleasure to welcome both our returning and new families to the Argonaut Elementary community. We are excited to partner with you as we begin another year of learning, growth, and connection.

This handbook is designed to provide important information about our school, our expectations, and the many opportunities available to our students. I encourage you to review it together as a family so that everyone has a clear understanding of how we work together to create a positive, safe, and successful school experience.

At Argonaut Elementary, we believe that strong partnerships between home and school are the foundation of student success. When families, students, and staff work together, we create a community where every child feels known, valued, and inspired to reach their full potential.

Our school is guided by The Bear Way and our BeARS expectations: Be Respectful, Be Accountable, and Be Safe. These values shape our daily interactions, support a culture of kindness and responsibility, and help foster a welcoming environment where every student belongs.

Thank you for trusting us with your child's education. I look forward to an incredible year filled with learning, laughter, and memorable experiences. Together, we will continue to make Argonaut Elementary a place where every student can thrive.

Warmly,

Joe Bosco�Principal�Argonaut Elementary School

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FAMILY AGREEMENT

Please review this handbook as a family and complete the google acknowledgement form by August 28th, 2026

Scan to complete

acknowledgement form

Around Campus

Always be safe. Always be kind. Always be responsible.

• Clean your hands before eating

• Listen to the adult directions

• Walk with your food (no sharing)

• Tidy up your mess

• Use inside voices

• Make room for others at your table

• Stay seated unless going to restroom or throwing away trash

• Sort waste in compost, recycling, and trash bins

• Sit while you wait for your ride

• Look for your car and get in quickly

• Do NOT play on the playground while waiting

• The pick-up area is not the time to schedule a play date

• Walk on tanbark and play structure

• Go up ladders and down slides

• Eat food at tables only

• Stay inside the blue line where adults can see you

• Sort waste into compost, recycling, and trash

• Take turns and share spaces

• Solve conflict peacefully

• When the bell sounds, return to class immediately

• Walk at all times

• Stay to your right

• Be mindful of others’ personal space

• Hold all playground equipment

• Use inside voices

• Wait for your teacher’s permission before leaving

• Walk to and from the restroom

• Use the restroom quickly and return promptly

• Allow others privacy, knock gently if unsure

• Only put toilet paper in toilets

• Flush toilets after use

• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water

• Report any problems to your teacher immediately

What should I bring to school each day?

PERSONAL TECHNOLOGY

OUR POLICY

• Smartwatches, smartphones, and other devices must be powered off and put away during the school day

• Students may use devices after the instructional day has concluded

• If you need to reach your child urgently, contact the school office and staff will deliver your message

• Devices used during school hours may be collected and held in the office for parent pickup.

Keeping devices powered off during the school day helps students stay focused and safe.

TIP: Label your child’s device with their name and teacher. If a device is found, it will be brought to the office.

SCHOOL DRESS CODE

Students should dress comfortably and appropriately for learning and active play.

LUNCHTIME PROCEDURES

LUNCH GUIDELINES

• Students may bring lunch from home or order school lunch

• Parents may drop off forgotten lunches at the office

• No food delivery services (DoorDash, UberEats, etc.)

• Students with allergies should notify the office

• Share-free zone: do not share food with others

• Microwaves are not available for student use

LUNCHTIME BEHAVIOR

• Stay seated while eating

• Clean up your area when finished

• Sort waste: trash, recycling, and compost

• Raise your hand if you need help

• Use quiet voices in the multipurpose room

• Walk at all times

FREE SCHOOL MEALS FOR ALL STUDENTS

California provides free breakfast and lunch to ALL students regardless of income, thanks to the California Universal Meals Program (Senate Bill 364 and Assembly Bill 130, signed in 2021). No application is needed, every child eats for free!

View our lunch menus by visiting the QR code:

Biking/Walking to School

Remember...

• Helmets are required by law for all riders under 18
• Walk bikes and scooters on school grounds at all times
• Lock bikes/scooters at the bike rack; the school is not responsible for theft or damage
• Skateboards, roller skates, and hoverboards are not permitted on campus
• Wheeled devices must be stored and not used during school hours
• Please follow traffic laws and use crosswalks.

SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL

Learn more about safe walking and biking routes by scanning the QR Code.

ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL

Keeping our drop-offs and pick-ups safe and smooth!

ARRIVAL

DISMISSAL

• No supervision is available before 8:15 a.m.
• 1st bell rings at 8:25, students may enter the building at that time.
• Parents, please say goodbye before students enter the building.
• School begins at 8:30 a.m.
• Students arriving after 8:30 a.m. must check in at the office, a tardy slip is required to enter class.

• Dismissal Times:
• 2:10 TK/K (12:10 on Wednesday)
• 2:30 1st - 2nd.
• 3:00 3rd - 5th.
• Please communicate pick-up changes with the office
• Students not picked up within 15 minutes, will wait in the office
• After 3 late pick-ups, a conference may be required
• Student are to remain in supervised areas while waiting for their ride. Students are not to play on the playground while waiting.

TRAFFIC QUEUE & WAITING

Smooth pick-up and drop-off keeps everyone safe!

TRAFFIC QUEUE

Parent Waiting for 3:00 DISMISSAL

• Follow the designated traffic pattern at all times
• Do not pass other vehicles in the queue
• Pull all the way forward before stopping
• Stay in your car during pick-up and drop-off
• Keep the flow moving - have students ready to exit/enter
• Do not use cell phones while in the traffic queue
• Follow staff directions at all times
• Please do not turn left into the parking lot during drop off or pickup

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• Families may wait at the Red tables near MPR for the 3:00 p.m. dismissal after picking up their younger students. Parents are asked to adhere to the following practices:
• Children should always be under the immediate supervision of their parents or designated adult and stay in the Red Table area until bell rings.
• Parents waiting for dismissal on school grounds must park their vehicle in a parking spot.

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Classroom Access and Teacher Communication

BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL ACCESS

Unless participating in a before school activity, students are not allowed to enter the school building before 8:25 a.m.

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Students are not permitted access to classrooms after the teacher has left for the day.

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Please encourage your student to make sure they have their homework, backpack, and other personal items with them before they leave their classroom.

CONNECTING WITH YOUR CHILD'S TEACHER

Teachers have established office hours in order to set aside time to meet with their students' parents.

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If you would like to meet with your child's teacher please contact him or her to set up an appointment.

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Parents who wish to drop off forms or other items to their child's classroom before school or during the school day should bring those items to the school office. Office staff will make sure those items get to the teacher.

CLASSROOM & CAMPUS VISITORS

Observations and visitor procedures

CLASSROOM OBSERVATIONS

Parents are entitled to observe instruction and other school activities that involve their child.

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If you would like to observe your child's classroom, please contact your child's teacher.

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Classroom visits are typically about 15-20 minutes per visit in order to minimize any disruptions to instruction.

VISITORS TO CAMPUS

All visitors to campus, including children, must register at the main office by signing in on the Securly iPad.

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Please have your driver’s license available when you sign in.

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Visitors are asked to sign out when they leave.

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POSITIVE BEHAVIOR & RESTORATIVE PRACTICES

PBIS: Teaching & Encouraging Positive Behavior

At Argonaut Elementary, we focus on teaching and encouraging positive behavior across our school.

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Through PBIS, students learn clear expectations for how to be safe, kind, and responsible, and they are recognized for making good choices.

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This helps create a caring and predictable environment where all students can thrive.

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We recognize students making positive choices through a variety of classroom and schoolwide programs such as our Bear Paws which we call out every week, and much much more! We love to celebrate all of the great work our children are doing!

Restorative Practices:

We know that mistakes are part of learning. When they happen, restorative practices help students reflect on their actions, take responsibility, and repair relationships.

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This approach encourages empathy, understanding, and problem-solving, helping students grow socially and emotionally while maintaining strong connections with their peers and teachers.

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Together, PBIS and restorative practices help us create a supportive community where students feel valued, understood, and empowered to do their best every day.

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Our goal is for student to learn why a choice didn't work, how it impacts those around them, how they can make it right, and what they will do differently next time.

RESPONDING TO CHALLENGING BEHAVIORS

The following behaviors have become increasingly common. We have developed clear, structured responses for each. Please review the flowchart below so you understand how these specific situations will be handled.

OTHER BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS

While the behaviors outlined on the previous page represent our most common challenges this year, other behavioral issues may arise from time to time. All behavior concerns will be addressed with appropriate consequences to ensure student safety and support positive growth.

GENERAL DISCIPLINE & SUSPENSION

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All children make mistakes from time to time. At Saratoga Elementary, we use student mistakes as opportunities for learning and growth.

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Occasionally, disciplinary consequences are necessary to ensure student safety and to support students learning behavioral and social skills consistent with school-wide expectations.

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The Board has developed rules and regulations setting the standards of behavior expected of district students and the disciplinary processes and procedures for addressing violations of those standards, including suspension and/or expulsion. For more information regarding SUSD discipline please refer to board policy 5144 and 5144.1

AES Bullying Policy

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The staff of Argonaut Elementary recognizes the harmful effects of bullying on student learning and school attendance. We shall not tolerate the bullying of any student. Bullying is defined in CA Education Code 48900(r) as severe or pervasive physical or verbal conduct that:

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• Reasonably places a student in fear of harm
• Has a substantially detrimental effect on physical or mental health
• Substantially interferes with academic performance
• Causes substantial interference with school services

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Students engaging in bully behaviors are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including suspension and expulsion.

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We also are mindful that behavior is sometimes labeled as “bullying”, when other descriptions such as social conflict or teasing are more helpful for understanding and resolving the problem. If you have concerns your child may be experiencing bullying or is bullying others, please contact your child’s teacher.

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AES Bullying Policy

ATTENDANCE

ATTENDANCE POLICY

All children between 6 and 18 years of age are required by California’s Education Code to attend school, and their parents have a legal responsibility to ensure their child’s attendance.

If a student is absent, the parent/guardian should call or email the school office the same day as the absence.

If the school does not receive a call or email, the school will attempt to make contact.

When the student returns to school, a valid explanation verifying the reason for the absence must be provided.

AES 24 Hour Attendance Line: (408) 867-4773

Email: aesattendance@saratogausd.org

EXCUSED ABSENCES

Under CA Education Code 48205, a pupil shall be excused when absent due to:

24 Hour Attendance Line:

(408) 867-4773

• Student’s Illness

• Quarantine by health officer

• Medical or dental appointment

• Funeral of immediate family member

• Jury duty

• Illness of a child of custodial parent student

Justifiable personal reasons including:

• Religious holidays or celebrations

• Court appearance

• Attendance at a funeral

• Employment conference (with prior approval)

• Working at an election precinct

Daily attendance is mandatory for all students

ATTENDANCE MATTERS

UNEXCUSED ABSENCES

• Unexcused absences do not meet excused criteria.

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• California defines truancy after 3 unexcused OR missing 30+ minutes without valid excuse

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• School must send truant letters families

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• District may require physician verification if chronic absenteeism due to illness

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FAMILY TRIPS

• Please plan trips during scheduled school breaks.

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• Per CA Ed Code 48205, family vacation absences are unexcused

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• Please discuss with teacher/principal in advance

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Everyday Counts!

SUSD Attendance Policies

LATE ARRIVAL POLICY

• If students arrive after the 2nd bell (8:30), they must check in at the office.

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• California defines truancy after 3 unexcused OR missing 30+ minutes without valid excuse

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PARENTS MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Your involvement matters!

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

Your child spends about 1,300 hours at school each year

Parent involvement contributes significantly to children's success

All parents are encouraged to be active participants in their children's education

BECOME A CLEARED VOLUNTEER

Requirements:

Complete SUSD volunteering packet, fingerprint scan, TB clearance form, Keenan training

Help in your child’s classroom

Chaperone and drive on field trips

Supervise students for after school activities