Tara Hills

Please read the District Basic Commitment polices as all schools are under these policies. Each
school has rules or polices that are specific to their site. Only those rules that we need to add
to, clarify, or reiterate will be included here.

ATTENDANCE
Students who eat breakfast at school may arrive at 7:50 and are expected to remain in the
cafeteria until 8:15. Students who do not eat breakfast at school should arrive at 8:15 and
meet on the playground in their classroom lines. The get ready to work bell rings at 8:25
bell. Students who are not at school by 8:30 are considered tardy and must go immediately to
the front office for a tardy slip. Students who are tardy will receive a pink pass to class. All
tardies are documented and a part of a students attendance record. Tardies and absences
are recorded and monitored, parents are notified, and a series of intervention steps are
implemented. If absences and tardies continue, a referral to the Student Attendance Review
Board will be made. Attendance is crucial to student success and we are dedicated to the
success of our students.
School announcements and the flag salute will begin the day. It is imperative that all
students be at school every day and on time.
Absences need to be cleared immediately. Call in and let the clerk or secretary know your
relationship to student, the date(s) of the absence, and the reason for the absence. Notes
need the same outline. Days/dates have to be listed in order for the state to accept the note.
Notes can only clear absences if they are turned in within three days of the absence, so
PLEASE clear them immediately with a note or call. Students returning from an extended
illness require a doctors note for clearance.
Notes must include:
The current date youre writing the note
Students first and last name
The exact date or dates of the absence(s): must list each day of absence!
The reason for the absence
Parents or legal guardians signature

State accepted reasons for absence: Illness, medical and/or dental appointments with doctor
verification, bereavement for immediate family, court appointments-verified by court
documentation, and/or finally, long term leaves that are five days or more in length, that are
supported by a completed Independent Study Contract that includes all work complete and
documented parent contact with the school once for each five days of absence.
According to the state, not excused absences are: traffic issues, car problems, parent or other
family member illnesses, doctor or dental appointment for other family members, or
delivering students to other schools. While the office understands and sympathizes with these
issues we are required to count them as unexcused, BY STATE MANDATE.
Independent Study Contracts: Due to special circumstances, if you have to take your student
out of school for a period of five or more days, you must do the following to make the
absences excused and thus not considered as a truant issue by the district:
Inform the office and the teacher(s) and request an Independent Study Contract form
from the office at LEAST ten days prior to the absence.
The teachers need time in advance to put together the independent contract to address
the concepts to be missed.
Make absolutely sure that the student DOES everything listed on the contract and that
the whole contract, with paperwork, is returned with all signatures in place the first day
back to school. If even one partial assignment is missing the contract is nullified and the
absences become unexcused/cuts.
Make contact with the school by phone, mail, or fax once for each five days out, per the
districts contract requirements (which reflect the states requirements)
Check with the teacher to be sure that he/she has checked the work, signed off on each
page, front and back if both sides used, and turned the whole packet into the office in a
timely manner (refer to absence timeline above)

Medical/Dental appointments: Whenever possible, please schedule appointments around
school. If your student leaves early in the day we would like them to return if they are feeling
up to it. Gets verification from the doctor or dentist stating that the student was there, with
the date and time listed and be sure to turn it in as soon as the student returns.

Sick students: Please treat all rashes, bites, or other itchy situations prior to coming to school. If there is any
doubt about whether the rash is a symptom of a contagious illness or a possible contagious condition, please
check before sending your student to school. Children running a fever, glassy eyed, nauseous, or exhibiting
other obvious symptoms of illness such as running nose, coughing or sneezing need to stay home until better.
Many students lose days at school due to picking up illnesses from others who are sent in unwell. This then
spreads through the rooms, the play yard, etc., and even more children are home ill.

EVERYDAY COUNTS. Thank you in advance for doing Whatever It Takes to get your student here and on time
every day.














DRESS CODE FOR TARA HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Educational focus and learning, school recesses, PE, and all school activities work best if students are dressed
with an understanding that this is school where their job is to be safe, be responsible and ready to learn. In
accordance to the WCCUSD Board of Education Policy student school uniforms are to be worn.

The uniform requirement for students began at all elementary and middle schools beginning October 9, 2006.
This policy was put into place because the Board of Education believes that school uniforms will assist in:
Promoting safe, focused learning environments
Building a positive school climate
Reducing ethnic and racial tensions
Bridging socio-economic differences between children
Promoting positive student behavior
Improving children's self-respect and self-esteem
Decreasing school violence
Minimizing the loss of expensive student clothing
Helping students and parents resist peer pressure
Allowing school officials to easily recognize intruders on campuses
Improving morale and school pride
Producing cost savings for participating families
In addition, schools with successful uniform programs tend to enjoy higher academic result.
New Uniform Dress Code Policy
Effective August 18, 2014, in compliance with the WCCUSD policy, Tara Hills will have a recommended
uniform dress code policy which will be mandatory September 1, 2014. Students who enroll in school during
the school year will have two weeks two comply with the uniform policy.
In order to better meet your needs and to work together to have 100% uniform compliance, Tara Hills has
added some flexibility to the uniform policy.
Boys & Girls K-6
Colors for Collared Shirts & Outerwear:
POLO STYLE COLLAR SHIRTS-Long or Short Sleeve
No word graphics, logos, recognizable branding or decorative trims
May be worn tucked in or out as long as the shirt does not fall below the hip line
The back hem may not be more than 2 longer than the front hem
All polo style shirts must fit student according to their actual Size. No oversized shirts will be allowed

DRESS SHIRTS-Long or Short Sleeve
No word graphics, logos, recognizable branding or decorative trims
All shirt tails must be neatly tucked into pants



Any Solid Color-Exception-
No Red Will Be Allowed
OUTERWEAR
Sweaters, cardigans, blazers, full-zip hoodie, and pull-over sweatshirts
No word graphics, logo, recognizable branding or decorative trims
Properly sized (not too big)

Colors for Turtlenecks and Under Layering Shirts:

TURTLENECKS or MOCK TURTLENECKS
No word graphics, logo, recognizable branding or decorative trims
May be worn tucked in or out as long as the shirt does not fall below the hip line
All under-layering shirts must not extend past the outer-layer shirt

T-SHIRTS
Tara Hills logo Spirit shirts/sweats and sweat suits may be worn on designated school spirit days
May be worn tucked in or out as long as the shirt does not fall below the hip line

PANTS:

Pants must fit and not SAG, BAG, OR Drag
Pants cannot have comments placed across the front or the back
No sweats or pajama bottoms
No shreds or tears
No red piping
No blue jeans

WINTER COATS/JACKETS
Worn to and from school and during outdoor activities are not restricted, but must not contain any
vulgar or inappropriate decoration or wording
HATS:
Hats may be worn outside to protect the face from the sun
The bill of the cap/hat must be worn in the front
All hats, hoodies on sweatshirts, and beanies must be removed when indoors.
SHOES:
Shoes must have a closed toe and appropriate for P.E.
Must be worn at all times for safety reasons
Sandals must have a back strap
No heels higher than one inch
Not Permitted
Flip-flops
Slippers
Wheels in shoes

EVERY FOURTH FRIDAY IS COLLEGE DAY: Includes regular uniform dress along with a college logo T-shirt
and or sweatshirt.
NO RED COLORS!
Any Solid Color-Exception-No Red
Will Be Allowed
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL: Includes flip flops and shorts. During this day, when you are playing on the playground
you must wear close toed shoes with a back. Tennis shoes are preferred.

School Spirit Day: Includes regular uniform dress along with a Tara Hills Logo T-shirt or sweatshirt
Free Dress Day: Includes any appropriate school clothing as outlined below
(If a student is on a waiver, they will adhere to the dress code below)
Shirts and Tank Tops:
Tank tops must be two inches or wider at the shoulder
Not Permitted
Spaghetti straps
Undershirts
Sleeveless shirts with extended armholes
Halter tops
Bare midriffs or bare backs
Pants, Skirts, Jumpers, Skorts and Shorts:
May be blue jeans
Fingertip length from the shortest finger or longer
Comfortable fit
Not permitted
Saggy or baggy pants
Pants which are too long and may cause a hazard during recess or P.E.
Pajamas
Slippers
Other:

Clothing, jewelry, backpacks, purses, gym bags
Free of writing and/or pictures of a crude, vulgar, profane or sexually suggestive nature
Free of advertisements for drugs, alcohol or tobacco products
Must not advocate racial, ethnic, or religious prejudices
Also not acceptable
Writing on skin
Excessive make up
Excessive perfume or cologne
Helpful Suggestion:
You may want to label your students items clearly with student name in permanent ink
Tara Hills School is not responsible if lost
Lost and Found is located in multipurpose room

Monitoring:
Parent contact will be made for students not in compliance with the dress code and a request for the parent
to bring a change of clothing will be made. Additional consequences may be issued if dress code is repeatedly
violated.


SCHOOL SPIRIT AND FREE DRESS DAYS WILL BE ANNOUNCED DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR