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School Handbook

Skyline Sea Otter on surfboard

 

Dear Skyline Families,

Please allow me to extend a warm welcome to each and every one of you, both new and returning. At Skyline, we are committed to partnering with you to maximize your child’s educational success, as well as their social-emotional and physical development. As a staff, we strongly believe that open communication between home and school is the foundation upon which to build a successful school year.

This handbook provides a great deal of information for you about Skyline School. The policies and procedures included in this handbook have been established to ensure a safe and positive environment for all students.

As always, we are receptive to and appreciate your engagement and support. Education is a team responsibility, beginning with the family, extending to the school, and encompassing the entire community. Working together, we can help our students achieve their highest potential. Thank you for trusting us to help educate your children, preparing them with the skills needed for their future as students and contributing members of the world.     

Sincerely,

Harlan Klein, Principal

Anti-Bullying Policy

The Skyline School Community is committed to making our school a safe and caring environment for all students. We will treat each other with respect and refuse to tolerate bullying of any kind.

Definition: Bullying is unfair and one-sided. Bullying behavior happens when someone keeps hurting, harassing, intimidating, threatening, or causing substantial emotional distress to a person. Cyberbullying is the use of electronic communication media (cell phones, text messages, instant messaging, social networks, etc.) to bully another student in the ways described above. Bullying and cyberbullying interfere with a student’s educational opportunities and can substantially disrupt the orderly operations of the school.

Bullying behaviors include the following:

Students at Skyline School will do the following things to prevent bullying:

Teachers and staff at Skyline School will do the following things to prevent bullying and help children feel safe at school:

Consequences for Violation of the Anti-Bullying Policy
Bully behavior, including cyberbullying, will not be tolerated. If cyberbullying occurs outside of school hours, but the repercussions are brought to school and disrupt the school and/or interfere with a student’s emotional/social well being, consequences will be given. Depending on the severity and nature of the incident, Skyline School will take one or more of the following steps when bullying occurs:

• Intervention, Warning, and Redirection
A teacher, principal, or staff member will ensure that the immediate behavior stops and reinforce to the student who is doing the bullying that bullying will not be tolerated. During this meeting with the student, the staff member will redirect the student and come up with a plan for success should they find themselves in a similar situation in the future.

• Notification of Parents
School staff will notify the parents of involved students. The parents might be asked to meet with the principal or other members of the school staff, including the student’s teacher and/or the school guidance counselor.

• Resolution with the Target of the Bullying
The student who is bullying may be required to write a letter of apology to the student who was bullied. Depending upon the nature of the incident, the students involved may meet to help resolve the problem and ensure it does not happen again.

• Referral to School Support Staff
The student who is bullying may meet with the school guidance counselor to help prevent future violations.

• Consequences
The student who is bullying may receive a blue ticket, serving one or more days of afterschool detention or lose school privileges (i.e., serving on student council, school newspaper, yearbook, etc).

• Suspension
In cases of severe or repeated bullying, the student will be suspended.



Attendance
 

School Attendance Review Board (SARB)

Attendance and tardies are monitored closely throughout the school year, per California Education Code. Truancy letters are sent out to students each time they receive three unexcused absences or three tardies over 30 minutes. After nine unexcused absences or tardies, a referral may be made to the District Office, to determine the need for a referral to the county Student Attendance Review Board (SARB). SARB is composed of educators and county officials who will review the student's attendance history, interview the parents and student, and make various recommendations to which the parents and student must adhere. If these recommendations are not followed and the student continues to accrue unexcused absences and tardies, SARB can turn the case over to the district attorney's office for legal action.

Absences

When your child is absent due to illness or for a doctor or dental appointment, please call the Absence Line at (858) 794-3651. The law requires that the exact nature of an illness be stated; this type of absence is defined as an excused absence.

Arriving late and leaving early

If your child will be late, or needs to leave before the end of the school day, a parent or guardian must sign the child in/out at the office. The office will send for the child.

Checking In and Out

Students must be checked in and out through the school office when coming in late or leaving early. Students may ONLY be released to those persons designated on their emergency cards. We are unable to make any exceptions. Parents must insure they have listed the names of any individual who may pick up their child in the Contact section on the Parent Portal. If someone listed in the contact section is going to pick up your student early, you must call the school office to let them know they will be picked up.

Prompt Afterschool Pickup

Staff supervision ends at 3:20 p.m. Students not picked up by 3:30 p.m. will be directed to the Child Development Center (CDC) and may be charged a fee.

Medical Appointments

We urge parents to schedule medical and dental appointments so they do not conflict with class time. However, if you are picking your child up for an appointment during the school day, you must come to the office to sign them out (and back in when they return). We will call the classroom to have your child come to the office when you arrive at the office.

Please click on this link, /Page/9008, to view the district's policies on absences and tardies.

Back to School Night

Back to School Night is held on  Wednesday, August 27, 2025, from 5:15 - 7:00 p.m. This is an opportunity for teachers to present the curriculum, policies, and procedures for the year. It is also an opportunity for parents to sign up for a variety of volunteer opportunities. This is a night for parents only. Staff will present general information, not specific student progress.

Personal Transport Devices at School

Schools in the Solana Beach School District support Safe Routes to Schools for both pedestrians and riders. Promoting bike and other wheeled safety for students is essential as they commute to and from school on school days. For the safety of all students, bicycles, scooters, skateboards, and other wheeled vehicles should be walked—not ridden—while using crosswalks or crossing streets on the way to and from school. Students are expected to follow all traffic and pedestrian safety rules, including obeying crossing guards and all posted traffic signals.

We appreciate our parents/guardians for their ongoing support and partnership in modeling safe riding practices. Students not following guidelines are subject to discipline consequences outlined in the school’s Effective Schoolwide Environment Plans (ESEP), which may include a verbal reminder/warning and/or a phone call home to notify parents. 

  • Safety - Students must walk their bicycles upon entering campus, and at all times while on campus, including parking lots and pathways, unless permission from a school official has been granted otherwise. No bikes, scooters, skateboards, eBikes, or other wheeled vehicles may be ridden on campus.
  • Helmets - Students under 18 years of age riding a wheeled vehicle must wear a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet that meets the standards described in CVC 21212a, 21235. This law also covers minors who are using or riding on non-motorized scooters, skateboards, inline, or roller skates. 
  • Storage - Bicycles and other wheeled vehicles should be parked in their designated area(s) on campus. Bicycles and other wheeled vehicles should never block ingress or egress or be placed in any location that would compromise safety and access.
  • Charging - SBSD does not currently provide charging capability for personal electric vehicles (e.g., eBikes, electric scooters). 
  • Security - It is the responsibility of the student to lock and secure their wheeled equipment. The District is not responsible for damage or theft of wheeled equipment on campus or en route to and from school and school-sponsored events.
  • eBikes
    • Class 1 and Class 2 eBikes - Students under 16 years of age are permitted to bring onto campus.  are Pedal Bicycles, Class 1 electric bicycles, and Class 2 electric bicycles. 
    • Class 3 eBike - Students must be 16 years of age to operate a Class 3 eBike. 
  • Motorized Scooters - Motorized scooters require the rider to be 16 years of age and possess a valid driver’s license or learner’s permit (CVC § 21235 (d)).  

More Safety Guidance is available in Board Policy and Administrative Regulation 5142 Safety.

 

Birthday Celebrations

Each child will be celebrated in their classroom, by their teacher and classmates. It might look slightly different in each classroom or grade, but each child will get their Special Day! While we appreciate the joy and excitement that accompanies our students’ birthdays, we ask that no food, treats, or goodies be brought to school.

A more lasting gesture would be a donation to our school library/media center. Our library staff has excellent books to choose from in a special Birthday Book Club Bin. See your teacher or the Library staff for the Book Club Form. Your child then chooses a book from the bin and special dedication card will be placed in the book. The book will be shared with your student’s class during their library time. After that, the book will be placed in the school library as a continuing memory of your child’s special day.


Cell Phones/Student Smartwatches

Mobile devices can be a source of major distraction for students and adults alike. At school, it’s best if they are “away for the day.” With more and more students coming to school with cell phones, you must be aware of the following:

 

Childcare

The Solana Beach School District Child Development Center (CDC) offers a School-Age Program. In order for children to participate in the CDC School-Age Program, they must be registered with CDC. The CDC hours at Skyline are 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. AM care is on an “as-needed basis,” and the after school care offers full-time, part-time and drop-in schedule options.


Classroom Assignments

When we assign students to classes for the next school year, we endeavor to meet the needs of the individual child and develop classes whose balance and dynamics contribute to a positive learning environment.

To achieve well-balanced classes, we consider academic ability; to help maintain positive class dynamics, we consider which pupils should and should not be placed together.

"Sending" and "Receiving" teachers will consider the benefits of possible assignments to each student, as well as the contributions each student and various groupings of students can bring to the dynamics and balance of each class.

 

Communication

Our commitment is that we will regularly and thoroughly communicate with parents. This communication will be accomplished through a variety of methods and formally scheduled activities throughout the year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Weekly Communication    Skyline sends out a weekly email/newsletter on Sunday mornings that contains the Principal Message, important upcoming dates/events at Skyline or within the district, as well as community flyers and announcements. Parents have the opportunity to sign up to receive this weekly email by signing up for the email notification system. If this is your first year at Skyline, you will need to sign up on Skyline’s email notification system.

 

  • Weekly Folders    In an effort to ensure that materials reach home, each student has an envelope or folder that parents should expect to be brought home during the week throughout the school year. The specific day will be dependent upon the specific teacher and/or grade level. The conduit might contain both class/school communication and schoolwork/homework. We hope that you will allow time to review the information with your child and return the envelope or folder to school on Friday.

 

Daily Schedules

Students in grades 3-6 may enter the front gate next to the office when the 8:20 a.m. bell rings. At that time, they may proceed up to the blacktop area to line up with class peers. Morning supervisors will monitor from 8:20 a.m. to 8:40 a.m. When the bell rings, their teacher will escort them to their classroom. Students in grades K-2 will enter the front gates next to the office when the 8:20 a.m. bell rings and proceed to their classroom. 

Minimum Days

All students begin at 8:40 a.m. and finish at 12:17 p.m.

Regular Schedule

Students begin at 8:40 a.m. and finish at 3:00 p.m. (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday)

Students begin at 8:40 a.m. and finish at 2:00 p.m. (Wednesdays only)

 


Discipline

At Skyline School, it is our priority to maintain a positive environment ­­­­­­for all students, staff members, and families. All members of the school community are expected to demonstrate kindness, courtesy, and respect to themselves and others, to be responsible for their actions, words, and belongings, and to ensure safety at all times. These expectations are built on the following three principles:

When students choose to not follow Skyline’s behavioral expectations, conversations and/or consequences will result. We strive to help students to change inappropriate behaviors and help them understand how to handle situations differently in the future. Positive behavioral interventions may be implemented and could include: walking the track, writing a reflection and/or letter of apology, campus community service, speaking with the school guidance counselor, loss of privileges, time away from peers and/or the classroom, or a chat with the principal, including a student call to the parent/guardian. These positive consequences will promote smooth student interactions, and enhance the harmonious environment that makes Skyline such a special place in the Solana Beach community.

All staff members have a responsibility for assisting in explaining and implementing school expectations. Students may be redirected by any staff member on campus.

As a general rule, more serious consequences are used only when other positive behavioral interventions have failed to bring about a change in behavior. More serious incidents or persistent problems may result in parents being invited to a conference at school, creation of behavior plan for the student, or in very serious cases, in-school or off- campus suspension.


Dogs

To support student safety, Skyline will be enforcing a No Dogs on Campus policy unless they have been certified service dogs.


Dress Code

BP 5132 Dress & Grooming

The Governing Board believes that appropriate dress and grooming contribute to a productive learning environment. The Board expects students to wear clothing that is suitable for the school activities in which they participate. Students' clothing must not present a health or safety hazard or cause a substantial disruption to the educational program.

District and school rules pertaining to student attire shall be included in student handbooks, may be posted in school offices and classrooms, and may periodically be reviewed with all students as necessary.

Students shall not be prohibited from dressing in a manner consistent with their gender identity or gender expression or with their religious or cultural observances.

In addition, the dress code shall not discriminate against students based on hair texture and protective hairstyles, including, but not limited to, braids, locks, and twists. (Education Code 212.1)

The responsibility for the dress and grooming of a student rests primarily with the student and their parent(s)/guardian(s). The principal or designee is authorized to enforce this policy and shall inform parent(s)/guardian(s) regarding a student who does not reasonably conform to the dress code. The dress code shall not be enforced in a manner that discriminates against a particular viewpoint or results in a disproportionate application of the dress code based on students’ gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, household income, or body type or size. When practical, students shall not be directed to correct a dress code violation during instructional time or in front of other students.

School administrators, teachers, and other staff shall be notified of appropriate and equitable enforcement of the dress code.

Repeated violations or refusal to comply with the District’s dress code may result in disciplinary action.

(cf. 4119.22 - Dress and Grooming)

(cf. 5145.2 - Freedom of Speech/Expression)

 

AR 5132

In cooperation with teachers, students and parents/guardians, the principal or designee shall establish school rules governing student dress and grooming which are consistent with law, Governing Board policy and administrative regulations. These school dress codes shall be regularly reviewed.

(cf. 0420 - School Plans/Site Councils)

The following guidelines shall apply to all regular school activities:

1. Clothing, jewelry, and personal items (backpacks, fanny packs, gym bags, water bottles etc.) shall be free of writing, pictures, or any other insignia which are crude, vulgar, profane, or sexually suggestive, or which promotes the use of drugs, alcohol or tobacco or other illegal activity.

2. Appropriate shoes must be worn at all times. Sport or tennis shoes are most appropriate for running and playing during recess and PE. All shoes must have closed toes and a back strap.

3. Clothes shall be sufficient to conceal undergarments. See-through clothing and bare abdomens are prohibited.

(cf. 3260 - Fees and Charges)

(cf. 5121 - Grades/Evaluation of Student Achievement)

The dress code shall be modified as appropriate to accommodate a student’s religious or cultural observance, health condition, or other circumstance deemed necessary by the principal or designee. In addition, the principal or designee may impose dress requirements to accommodate the needs of special school activities, physical education classes, athletic activities, and other extracurricular activities and cocurricular activities.

No grade of a student participating in a physical education class shall be adversely affected if the student does not wear standardized physical education apparel because of circumstances beyond the student’s control. (Education Code 49066)

Students shall be allowed to wear sun-protective clothing, including but not limited to hats, for outdoor use during the school day. (Education Code 35183.5)

 

Grounds for Suspension

California Education Code §48900.

 


Further Information:

Education Code Section 48900 - 48927

 


Head Lice

Please look out for symptoms of excessive itching and white nit eggs on hair follicles. Students with head lice will be sent home for treatment.

Teach your children to avoid sharing hats, combs and barrettes.
 


Homework Policy

Rational

The purpose of homework is to strengthen academic skills, reinforce concepts taught by teachers, develop student responsibility and accountability, and promote parent awareness. Positive results of homework include better retention of factual knowledge, increased understanding of material, improve critical thinking, concept formation and information processing skills, as well as enrichment of the core curriculum. Our goal is to create assignments that promote one or more of these outcomes. We recognize that homework is not the only circumstance under which after-school learning takes place. Many leisure-time activities teach important academic and life skills. We believe in the importance of balancing leisure, learning and family time.

Amount of Homework
The amount of homework assigned shall be related to the maturity and ability level of the students in a given class. The following chart suggests these homework schedules as guides for students. These schedules can be used as guidelines for parents and teachers in monitoring student time devoted to homework.

Grades K-2  10 – 30 minutes up to 4 days per week
Grades 4-6  30 – 60 minutes up to 4 days per week

Be advised that students on occasion may spend more than one hour and/or more than four days a week completing schoolwork, as time at home may be spent doing assigned homework, long-term projects, and completing unfinished classroom assignments. Students have varying abilities to use class time efficiently, and the amount of time spent on homework varies from one child to another.

Student’s Responsibility
It is the responsibility of the student to record and understand the homework assignment, complete it, and return it to school on the required day.

Parent’s Responsibility
It is the responsibility of the parent to set a specific time and place for doing homework and to monitor the student’s homework. Parents who have concerns about homework should contact their child’s teacher. Parents should provide guidance to students, not answers.

Homework Requests
Requests for homework should be called in on the Absence Line (858-794-4751) before 10:00 a.m., and can be picked up between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. that day.

 


Hot Lunch

Skyline offers meal services for our students. Lunch is Free  and it includes milk or apple juice.  Adult lunches are $5.75.


Illnesses

Each year school children have an average of five to seven common infections such as colds and intestinal upset. For the protection of your child and his/her classmates, please keep your child at home when ill. Please notify the school when your child is ill. The following symptoms may mean that an illness is contagious:

 


Immunizations

The California School Immunization law requires that all children entering school receive proper immunizations to protect them from serious illness and to prevent the spread of communicable diseases: polio, measles, rubella, mumps, hepatitis B, varicella (chickenpox), diphtheria, tetanus, haemophilus influenzae, Type b (Hib meningitis), and whooping cough.


Leaving Early

 

Medical Insurance

Solana Beach School District does not provide medical insurance coverage for school accidents. This means that you are responsible for the medical bills if your child gets hurt during school activities.

The following student accident/health insurance plans are offered to help you pay those bills:



 


Contact:

Myers Stevens & Toohey & Co., Inc
26101 Marguerite Parkway
Mission Viejo, California 92692-3203
Tel: (800) 827 4695 or (949) 348-0656

Note: Bilingual representatives are available for parents who need assistance in Spanish.

 


Medication at School

The school district recognizes that some children need to take medication at school. The following precautions must be observed for the safety of your child and others:

 

  1. A Physician’s Statement form must be completed and signed by you and your doctor, stating the name of the medicine, dosage, time to be given, etc.
  2. Medication must be brought to the health office by an adult in the original prescription bottle or over-the-counter packaging. Students are not permitted to carry medicine while at school.
  3. Medication will be kept in the health office in a safe place. While we will take every precaution possible, we cannot accept responsibility for loss or for the administration of the medication.
  4. Children should report to the office to take their medication at the appropriate time..

 


PTA

The Skyline Parent Teacher Association is an association of parents and teachers dedicated to supporting the children and community of Skyline School. To reach these goals, Skyline PTA members volunteer many hours and raise funds to support classrooms, encourage communication, and develop community spirit.


Personal Items and Toys

Students may not use toys, including spinners, cell phones, or other personal electronic equipment during school hours unless they have approval from the teacher. If they have approval, the item may only be used within the classroom. Students may only bring personal balls (i.e., football, basketball) to school if they are going to donate the ball to the school. If students need to call a parent during school hours, they may use a school phone. The school phone should not be used to schedule after-school play dates. These dates should be arranged in advance.


Photographs

School photos are taken in the early fall, with finished photos coming home in late October. Class photos will be taken. Individual photos are optional. You will be notified beforehand of the various options for the purchase of prints. You are not required to purchase photographs.

Sexual Harassment

Solana Beach School District has adopted board policy and administrative regulation (BP/AR) 5145.7 containing rules and procedures for reporting sexual harassment. “The Board prohibits sexual harassment of students by other students, employees or other persons, at school or at school-sponsored or school-related activities. Prohibited sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to, unwelcome sexual advances, unwanted requests for sexual favors or other unwanted verbal, visual or physical conduct of sexual nature made against another person of the same or opposite gender, in the education setting.


School Site Council

In the 1970's, the State of California passed a law that set up the School Improvement Program (SIP), which enabled schools to receive supplemental funding from the state. The new law also required that schools establish School Site Councils (SSC) in order to receive and spend the extra funding provided by SIP.

Skyline’s School Site Council is made up of 12 members - six parents, five teachers/staff, and the principal.
 

Since Solana Beach School District no longer receives SIP funds, the Site Council helps to develop the School Site Strategic Plan, including setting school goals and assessing program effectiveness.

Meetings are held four times a year (September, October, March, May), on Wednesdays, starting at 3:15 p.m. The agenda is posted in the office window 72 hours prior to the meeting. All meetings are open to the public.


School Registration

We welcome all new families to Skyline School. Requirements for new students include:

 

To facilitate easy registration for incoming students, families may access all registration information on Skyline’s website.  Families interested in the Global Education Program are also welcome to apply.  Students are selected based on a lottery system.  An information meeting regarding the Global Education Program will be held in late January 2019.  If you have questions, please contact the school office (858) 794-3600.

Surveillance Cameras

The Board of Education believes that reasonable use of surveillance cameras will help the District support its goals for campus security. Cameras are not placed in areas where students, staff, or community members have a reasonable expectation for privacy. The District’s audio capability on the surveillance equipment is disabled so sounds are not recorded.

Tobacco Free School Site

Skyline School and the Solana Beach School District is a tobacco-free site. Use of all tobacco products shall be prohibited within any district building, facility, or vehicle. In addition, the use of all tobacco products is prohibited on school grounds or premises. This prohibition shall also apply to all individuals attending or representing the school district at school-sponsored activities held off district property.


Visitors to School

Skyline parents are always welcome at Skyline. All visitors must sign in at the office and wear a visitor's nametag.

Volunteers

Skyline has a strong tradition of parent involvement. Under the teacher’s direction, parents work with children individually or in small groups, giving students immediate feedback on their work and helping them through problems. Volunteers provide additional support for classroom learning activities. Others can help out on field trips, by sharing special talents or helping to prepare materials at school.

Prior to Volunteering
To ensure the safety of students, staff members, and fellow volunteers, please complete the “Volunteer Code of Conduct” in the Parent Portal, and register in the Raptor Volunteer System.  Click on the following url to register,  https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/NjEwMDplbi1VUw==.  You must make arrangements to volunteer with your child's teacher.

When You Come on Campus to Volunteer
• Sign in at the Front Desk, and
• Wear the appropriate “Volunteer Raptor ID Badge.”



 
It is important that students and staff know that you belong on campus. In the event of an emergency, it is extremely important that the administration can account for everyone on campus. Additionally, volunteers who have signed in are covered by our liability insurance policy.

Please Note: If you are going to chaperone students on an overnight field trip, you will also need to provide the district with a copy of your fingerprint report.

Because volunteers are such an integral part of Skyline, it is important to keep our standards high. It is important for all volunteers to remember the following:

  • Be responsible and safe -- always put children first. 
  • Respect confidentiality. Students and staff have a right to privacy. 
  • Be professional. 
  • Communicate. 
  • When things come up and you can’t fulfill a promise, let someone know. 
  • Ask for help -- don’t suffer in silence! 
  • Share your experience with others and encourage new volunteers. Commitment - Once you become a volunteer, others depend on you. 
  • Try to pick what is manageable and interesting to you. 
  • Be prepared. Communicate with teachers and other staff members ahead of time. 
  • Be on time. If you can’t make it, let someone know. 

We so appreciate all that you do for Skyline Elementary School.

Wellness Policy

Book
Policy Manual
Section
5000 Students
Title
STUDENT WELLNESS
Code
5030 BP
Status
Active
Adopted
April 20, 2017
Last Revised
June 24, 2021


 

The Governing Board recognizes the link between student health and learning and desires to provide a comprehensive program promoting healthy eating and physical activity for district students. The Superintendent or designee shall coordinate and align district efforts to support student wellness through health education, physical education and activity, health services, nutrition services, psychological and counseling services, and a safe and healthy school environment. In addition, the Superintendent or designee shall develop strategies for promoting staff wellness and for involving parents/guardians and the community in reinforcing students' understanding and appreciation of the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

 

(cf. 1400 – Relations Between Other Governmental Agencies and the Schools)

(cf. 3513.3 - Tobacco-Free Schools)

(cf. 3514 - Environmental Safety)

(cf. 5131.6 - Alcohol and Other Drugs)

(cf. 5131.61 - Drug Testing)

(cf. 5131.62 - Tobacco)

(cf. 5131.63 - Steroids)

(cf. 5141 - Health Care and Emergencies)

(cf. 5141.22 - Infectious Diseases)

(cf. 5141.3 - Health Examinations)

(cf. 5141.31 - Immunizations)

(cf. 5141.32 - Health Screening for School Entry)

(cf. 5141.6 - School Health Services)

(cf. 6142.1 - Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Prevention Education)

(cf. 6164.2 - Guidance/Counseling Services)

 

District Wellness Committee

 

The Superintendent or designee shall encourage parents/guardians, students, food service employees, physical education teachers, school health professionals, Board members, school administrators, and members of the public to participate in the development, implementation, and periodic review and update of the district's Student Wellness Policy. (42 USC 1758b; 7 CFR 210.30)

 

To fulfill this requirement, the Superintendent or designee will establish and sustain a District Wellness Committee and a District Wellness Coordinator. The committee may include representatives of the group listed above, as well as health educators, curriculum directors, counselors, Child Development Center staff, health practitioners, and/or others interested in school health issues. The District Wellness Committee will convene three times during the school year.

 

(cf. 1220 - Citizen Advisory Committees)

(cf. 9140 - Board Representatives)

 

The Superintendent or designee may make available to the public and school community a list of the names, position titles, and contact information of the District Wellness Committee members.

 

The District Wellness Committee shall advise the district on health-related issues, activities, policies, and programs. At the discretion of the Superintendent or designee, the duties of the committee may also include the planning, 

implementation, and evaluation of activities to promote health within the school or community.

 

Goals for Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Other Wellness Activities

 

The Board shall adopt specific goals for nutrition promotion and education, physical activity, and other school-based activities that promote student wellness. In developing such goals, the Board shall review and consider evidence-based strategies and techniques. (42 USC 1758b; 7 CFR 210.30)

 

(cf. 0000 - Vision)

(cf. 0200 - Goals for the School District)

 

The district's nutrition education and physical education programs shall be based on research, shall be consistent with the expectations established in the state's curriculum frameworks and content standards, and shall be designed to build the skills and knowledge that all students need to maintain a healthy lifestyle and foster lifelong habits of physical activity.                                                                  

 

(cf. 6011 - Academic Standards)

(cf. 6142.7 - Physical Education and Activity)

(cf. 6142.8 - Comprehensive Health Education)

(cf. 6143 - Courses of Study)

 

The nutrition education program shall include, but is not limited to, information about the benefits of healthy eating for learning, disease prevention, and oral health. Nutrition

education shall be provided as part of the health education program and, as appropriate, shall be integrated into other academic subjects in the regular educational program, before- and after-school programs, summer learning programs, and school garden programs.

 

(cf. 5148.2 - Before/After School Programs)

(cf. 6177 - Summer Learning Programs)

 

All students shall be provided opportunities to be physically active on a regular basis. Opportunities for moderate to vigorous physical activity shall be provided through physical education and recess and may also be provided through school athletic programs, extracurricular programs, before- and after-school programs, summer learning programs, programs encouraging students to walk or bicycle to and from school, in-class physical activity breaks, and other structured and unstructured activities.

 

(cf. 5142.2 - Safe Routes to School Program)

(cf. 6145 - Extracurricular and Cocurricular Activities)

(cf. 6145.2 - Athletic Competition)

 

The Board may enter into a joint use agreement or memorandum of understanding to make district facilities or grounds available for recreational or sports activities outside the school day and/or to use community facilities to provide physical opportunities for families and community members.

(cf. 1330.1 - Joint Use Agreements)

 

Professional development may be regularly offered to the nutrition program director, managers, and staff, as well as health education teachers, physical education teachers, coaches, activity supervisors, and other staff as appropriate to enhance their knowledge and skills related to student health and wellness.

 

(cf. 4131 - Staff Development)

(cf. 4231 - Staff Development)

(cf. 4331 - Staff Development)

 

In order to ensure that students have access to comprehensive health services, the district may provide access to health services at or near district schools and/or may provide referrals to community resources.

 

The Board recognizes that a safe, positive school environment is also conducive to students' physical and mental health and thus prohibits bullying and harassment of all students, including bullying on the basis of weight or health condition.

 

(cf. 5131.2 - Bullying)

(cf. 5145.3 - Nondiscrimination/Harassment)

 

The Superintendent or designee shall encourage staff to serve as positive role models for healthy eating and physical fitness. They shall promote work-site wellness programs and may provide opportunities for regular physical activity among employees.

 

Nutrition Guidelines for All Foods Available at School

 

For all foods and beverages available on each campus during the school day, the district shall adopt nutrition guidelines which are consistent with 42 USC 1758, 1766, 1773, and 1779 and federal regulations and which support the objectives of promoting student health and reducing childhood obesity. (42 USC 1758b)

 

In order to maximize the district's ability to provide nutritious meals and snacks, all district schools shall participate in available federal school nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs and after-school snack programs, to the extent possible. When approved by the California Department of Education, the district may sponsor a summer meal program.

 

(cf. 3550 - Food Service/Child Nutrition Program)

(cf. 3552 - Summer Meal Program)

(cf. 3553 - Free and Reduced Price Meals)

(cf. 5141.27 - Food Allergies/Special Dietary Needs)

(cf. 5148 - Child Care and Development)

(cf. 5148.3 - Preschool/Early Childhood Education)

 

The Superintendent or designee shall provide access to free, potable water in the food service area during meal times, as well as throughout the school day, in accordance with Education Code 38086 and 42 USC 1758, and shall encourage students' consumption of water by educating them about the health benefits of water and by serving water in an appealing manner.

 

The Board believes that all foods and beverages sold to students at district schools, including those available outside the district's reimbursable food services program, should support the health curriculum and promote optimal health. Nutrition standards adopted by the district for foods and beverages provided through student stores,  vending machines, or other venues shall meet or exceed state and federal nutrition standards.

 

(cf. 3312 - Contracts)

(cf. 3554 - Other Food Sales)

 

The Superintendent or designee shall encourage school organizations to use healthy food items or non-food items for fundraising purposes.

 

They also shall encourage school staff to avoid the use of non-nutritious foods as a reward for students' academic performance, accomplishments, or classroom behavior.

 

School staff shall encourage parents/guardians or other volunteers to support the district's nutrition education program by considering nutritional quality when selecting any snacks which they may donate for occasional class parties. Class parties or celebrations shall be held after the lunch period when possible.

 

To reinforce the district's nutrition education program, the Board prohibits the marketing and advertising of foods and beverages that do not meet nutrition standards for the sale of foods and beverages on campus during the school day. (7 CFR 210.30)

 

(cf. 1325 - Advertising and Promotion)

 

Program Implementation and Evaluation

 

The Superintendent designates the individual(s) identified below as the individual(s) responsible for ensuring that each school site complies with the district's wellness policy. (42 USC 1758b; 7 CFR 210.30)

 

Student Services

(858) 794-7100 ext. 7187

laurenleahy@sbsd.net

 

Child Nutrition Services

(858) 794-7100 ext. 7121

johnpaulkachaluba@sbsd.net

 

(cf. 0500 - Accountability)

(cf. 3555 - Nutrition Program Compliance)

 

The Superintendent or designee shall assess the implementation and effectiveness of this policy at least once every three years. (42 USC 1758b; 7 CFR 210.30)

 

The assessment shall include the extent to which district schools are in compliance with this policy, the extent to which this policy compares to model wellness policies available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and a description of the progress made in attaining the goals of the wellness policy. (42 USC 1758b)

 

The Superintendent or designee shall invite feedback on district and school wellness activities from food service personnel, school administrators, the, District Wellness Committee, parents/guardians, students, teachers, before- and after-school program staff, and/or other appropriate persons.

 

The Board and the Superintendent or designee shall establish indicators that will be used to measure the implementation and effectiveness of the district activities related to student wellness. Such indicators may include, but are not limited to:

 

1. Descriptions of the district's nutrition education, physical education, and health education curricula and the extent to which they align with state academic content standards and legal requirements

 

2. An analysis of the nutritional content of school meals and snacks served in all district programs, based on a sample of menus and production records

 

3. Student participation rates in all school meal and/or snack programs, including the number of students enrolled in the free and reduced-price meals program compared to the number of students eligible for that program

 

4. Extent to which foods and beverages sold on campus outside the food services program, such as through vending machines, student stores, or fundraisers, comply with nutrition standards

 

5. Extent to which other foods and beverages that are available on campus during the school day, such as foods and beverages for classroom parties, school celebrations, and rewards/incentives, comply with nutrition standards

 

6. Results of the state's physical fitness test at applicable grade levels

 

7. Number of minutes of physical education offered at each grade span, and the estimated percentage of class time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity

 

8. A description of district efforts to provide additional opportunities for physical activity outside of the physical education program

 

9. A description of other districtwide or school-based wellness activities offered, including the number of sites and/or students participating, as appropriate

 

As feasible, the assessment report may include a comparison of results across multiple years, a comparison of district data with county, statewide, or national data, and/or a comparison of wellness data with other student outcomes such as academic indicators or student discipline rates.

 

In addition, the Superintendent or designee shall prepare and maintain the proper documentation and records needed for the administrative review of the district's wellness policy conducted by the California Department of Education (CDE) every three years.

 

The assessment results of both the district and state evaluations shall be submitted to the Board for the purposes of evaluating policy and practice, recognizing accomplishments, and making policy adjustments as needed to focus district resources and efforts on actions that are most likely to make a positive impact on student health and achievement.

 

Notifications

 

The Superintendent or designee shall inform the public about the content and implementation of the district's wellness policy and shall make the policy, and any updates to the policy, available to the public on an annual basis. They shall also inform the public of the district's progress towards meeting the goals of the wellness policy, including the availability of the triennial district assessment. (Education Code 49432; 42 USC 1758b; 7 CFR 210.30)

 

(cf. 5145.6 - Parental Notifications)

 

The Superintendent or designee shall distribute this information through the most effective methods of communication, including district or school newsletters, handouts, parent/guardian meetings, district and school web sites, and other communications. Outreach to parents/guardians shall emphasize the relationship between student health and wellness and academic performance.

 

(cf. 1100 - Communication with the Public)

(cf. 1112 - Media Relations)

(cf. 1113 - District and School Web Sites)

(cf. 1114 - District-Sponsored Social Media)

(cf. 6020 - Parent Involvement)

 

Each school may post a summary of nutrition and physical activity laws and regulations prepared by the CDE.

 

Records

 

The Superintendent or designee shall retain records that document compliance with 7 CFR 210.30, including, but not limited to, the written student wellness policy, documentation of the triennial assessment of the wellness policy for each school site, and documentation demonstrating compliance with the community involvement requirements, including requirements to make the policy and assessment results available to the public. (7 CFR 210.30)

 

Legal Reference:

EDUCATION CODE

33350-33354 CDE responsibilities re: physical education

38086 Free fresh drinking water

49430-49434 Pupil Nutrition, Health, and Achievement Act of 2001

49490-49494 School breakfast and lunch programs

49500-49505 School meals

49510-49520 Nutrition

49530-49536 Child Nutrition Act

49540-49546 Child care food program

49547-49548.3 Comprehensive nutrition services

49550-49562 Meals for needy students

49565-49565.8 California Fresh Start pilot program

49570 National School Lunch Act

51210 Course of study, grades 1-6

51210.1-51210.2 Physical education, grades 1-6

51210.4 Nutrition education

51220 Course of study, grades 7-12

51222 Physical education

51223 Physical education, elementary schools

51795-51798 School instructional gardens

51880-51921 Comprehensive health education

 

 

 

Students                                                                     

STUDENT WELLNESS                                                                        BP 5030(i)

 

CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE

15500-15501 Food sales by student organizations

15510 Mandatory meals for needy students

15530-15535 Nutrition education

15550-15565 School lunch and breakfast programs

UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 42

1751-1769j National School Lunch Program, especially:

1758b Local wellness policy

1771-1793 Child Nutrition Act, especially:

1773 School Breakfast Program

1779 Rules and regulations, Child Nutrition Act

CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS, TITLE 7

210.1-210.33 National School Lunch Program, especially:

210.30 Wellness policy

220.1-220.22 National School Breakfast Program

COURT DECISIONS

Frazer v. Dixon Unified School District, (1993) 18 Cal.App.4th 781

 

Management Resources:

CSBA PUBLICATIONS

Integrating Physical Activity into the School Day, Governance Brief, April 2016

Increasing Access to Drinking Water in Schools, Policy Brief, April 2013

Monitoring for Success: A Guide for Assessing and Strengthening Student Wellness Policies, rev. 2012

Nutrition Standards for Schools: Implications for Student Wellness, Policy Brief, rev. April 2012

Student Wellness: A Healthy Food and Physical Activity Policy Resource Guide, rev. 2012

Physical Activity and Physical Education in California Schools, Research Brief, April 2010

Building Healthy Communities: A School Leader's Guide to Collaboration and Community Engagement, 2009

Safe Routes to School: Program and Policy Strategies for School Districts, Policy Brief, 2009

Physical Education and California Schools, Policy Brief, rev. October 2007

School-Based Marketing of Foods and Beverages: Policy Implications for School Boards, Policy Brief, March 2006

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PUBLICATIONS

Physical Education Framework for California Public Schools, Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve, 2009

Health Framework for California Public Schools, Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve, 2003

 

Students                                                                     

STUDENT WELLNESS                                                                        BP 5030(j)

 

CALIFORNIA PROJECT LEAN PUBLICATIONS

Policy in Action: A Guide to Implementing Your Local School Wellness Policy, October 2006

CENTER FOR COLLABORATIVE SOLUTIONS

Changing Lives, Saving Lives: A Step-by-Step Guide to Developing Exemplary Practices in Healthy Eating, Physical Activity and Food Security in Afterschool Programs, January 2015

CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION PUBLICATIONS

School Health Index for Physical Activity and Healthy Eating: A Self-Assessment and Planning Guide, rev. 2012

FEDERAL REGISTER

Rules and Regulations, July 29, 2016, Vol. 81, Number 146, pages 50151-50170

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE BOARDS OF EDUCATION PUBLICATIONS

Fit, Healthy and Ready to Learn, rev. 2012

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PUBLICATIONS

Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2016

WEB SITES

CSBA: http://www.csba.org

Action for Healthy Kids: http://www.actionforhealthykids.org

Alliance for a Healthier Generation: http://www.healthiergeneration.org

California Department of Education, Nutrition Services Division: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu

California Department of Public Health: http://www.cdph.ca.gov

California Healthy Kids Resource Center: http://www.californiahealthykids.org

California Project LEAN (Leaders Encouraging Activity and Nutrition): http://www.californiaprojectlean.org

California School Nutrition Association: http://www.calsna.org

Center for Collaborative Solutions: http://www.ccscenter.org

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov

Dairy Council of California: http://www.dairycouncilofca.org

National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity: http://www.cspinet.org/nutritionpolicy/nana.html

National Association of State Boards of Education: http://www.nasbe.org

School Nutrition Association: http://www.schoolnutrition.org

Society for Nutrition Education: http://www.sne.org

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Nutrition Service, wellness policy: http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Healthy/wellnesspolicy.html

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Healthy Meals Resource System: http://healthymeals.fns.usda.gov