ABOUT US
PROGRAMS
FAMILIES & COMMUNITY
FOR STUDENTS
Skip to content
Attendance
Effective July 1, 1998, the state mandated an updated attendance accounting system. Schools no longer collect funding for ANY absence. Of course, if a child is ill, they should stay home. When your child misses school for any reason, he/she loses valuable learning time. Independent Study Contracts are available for students who will miss school for up to 10 days for any reason. Please contact the Attendance Clerk, in advance, for an Independent Study Contract. The contract describes work to be completed and it is the responsibility of the parent to see that the work is done before returning to school.
Tardiness to school also affects your child’s education. When a child is late, he/she misses instruction and interrupts the entire class upon arrival. Students are tardy if they are not in their seat ready to learn by 8:50AM. Students arriving late will need to check into the office for a tardy slip.
When your child is absent, please call our school office at 619-445-2977 within three days to clear the absence.
Valid reasons for an excused absence are dictated by California state law. For a list of these reasons please see the Alpine Union School District’s Annual Notification of Parents’ and Students’ Rights included with the yearly registration packet.
Casual Absences: Casual absences are considered unexcused. We are asking families to schedule any casual absences for days when our campus is closed.
Illness: If your student is ill with a fever and/or vomiting, they are to remain home for 24 hours after the fever/vomiting ceases.
Lice: After a student has had head lice, parents are required to bring their students to the school office the next day after treatment and cleansing so that a health office check can be completed before a student is returned to the classroom.
Please report communicable diseases to our office. State law requires students displaying certain contagious/communicable diseases be excluded from school until appropriate medical treatment has been given. If antibiotics are required, the student may return to school after 24 hours on medication. Communicable Diseases/Contagious Diseases can include but are not limited to: Covid-19, Chicken Pox, Streptococcal (strep), Scarlet Fever, Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye), Head Lice, Impetigo, and Scabies.
Truancy- Students are required by law to be at school and their parents will be held responsible. Actions ranging from a parent reminder letter, referral to the School Attendance Review Team (SART) and/or Student Attendance Review Board (SARB) through the San Diego County Juvenile Court System are mandated by law. A student is considered truant when their attendance reflects a combination of THREE or more unexcused absences and/or unexcused tardies over 30 minutes in one school year.
Truancy and Action
A combination of 3 Unexcused Absences and/or Unexcused Tardy over 30 minutes during one school year: a First Notification of Truancy letter is sent home with a copy placed in the student’s permanent file.
If a combination of Unexcused Absences and/or Unexcused Tardy over 30 minutes continues during one school year: the Second Notification of Truancy letter is sent home with a mandatory appointment for the parents/guardians and student with the School Attendance Review Team (SART) for supports at Shadow Hills School. A copy of the letter is placed in the student’s permanent file.
If a combination of Unexcused Absences and/or Unexcused Tardy over 30 minutes continues to occur after the implementation of supports: the Third Notification of Truancy letter is sent home with a mandatory appointment for the parents/guardians and student with the School Attendance Review Board (SARB) at the county level. A copy of the letter is placed in the student’s permanent file.
Birthdays
Birthdays are celebrated each month through our PTA-sponsored Birthday Table. Classroom teachers may set aside a few minutes at the end of the day to celebrate birthdays, if time permits. Parents interested in participating in this activity must check with the classroom teacher first and then plan this short non-food activity ahead of time. Small items such as pencils or erasers will need to be used in place of food. Please read the District Wellness Policy below.
Bus Transportation
Bus rules and regulations are posted on the district website, under Transportation. Be sure to read and discuss them with your children. Violation of the bus rules will result in tickets issued by the bus driver and can result in suspension from the bus temporarily or permanently. Students who are suspended from the bus for a temporary period will not receive a refund of fees for those days missed. Students permanently suspended from the bus will be refunded for the unused portion of their bus pass. Students who miss riding the bus temporarily for any reason will receive a refund for those missed rides. If you have any questions about transportation, please call (619) 644-8186 extension 3.
Cell Phones
Please be aware of the following school guidelines regarding cell phones at Shadow Hills School:
Phones will not be allowed to be used on all school campuses unless specifically determined by a teacher that they are needed for a specific ACADEMIC reason.
Earbuds, headphones and smartwatches fall in the same category as phone usage and will also not be allowed to be used on campus unless specifically determined by a teacher that they are needed for an ACADEMIC reason.
Students will not be permitted to make calls on their cell phones while at school. The camera feature on a cell phone is not to be used on campus at any time.
The zero-tolerance policy will be strictly enforced,which means these items are not allowed to be out immediately upon entering campus.
If a student is found to be using a phone, the first offense will require the student to pick up the phone after school.
A second offense will require a parent to pick up the phone.
A third offense, the student will forfeit the opportunity to have a phone on campus.
Communication
The Alpine Union School District uses email, text, and the online PeachJar system to facilitate communication between the school and home. Event flyers, important updates, school holiday notices and community postings are sent out via this system to all families. We also use the social media platforms, Facebook and Instagram. You can access all posted flyers on the district website at www.alpineschools.net, under Shadow Hills School, For Parents & Guardians, Our School Flyers.
Cyber Bullying
The Board of Trustees recognizes the harmful effects of bullying on student learning and
school attendance and desires to provide safe school environments that protect students from
physical and emotional harm. District employees shall establish student safety as a high priority
and shall not tolerate bullying of any student. No individual or group shall, through physical, written, verbal, or other means, harass, sexually harass, threaten, intimidate, retaliate, cyberbully, cause bodily injury to, or commit hate violence against any student or school personnel. See our District website for more information.
Dress Guidelines
We feel that appropriate clothing provides for a safe and successful learning environment. Students are expected to dress in good taste, neat, clean and well groomed.
Revealing clothing (cropped tops, short shorts, spaghetti straps/strapless dress, or swimsuits) is prohibited. Underwear may not be visible.
Children must wear closed-toed shoes for daily physical education activities. Sandals must have a heel strap. No flip-flops without a doctor's note. Roller shoes are not permitted.
Clothing with graphics (drawings, pictures, sayings) referencing alcohol, drugs, weapons or sex is not allowed.
Hats worn correctly are allowed but must be removed in the classroom.
Clothing that suggests affiliation or participation with gangs is not permitted.
Clothing, hairstyle, or make-up that may be disruptive or distracting to the educational process is to be avoided.
Drop Off/Pick Up
Hallways are to be kept clear before and after school. Supervision begins at 8:20 am so students are not to be on campus unaccompanied before this time. After school, parents are encouraged to pick their students up at the upper parking lot curb.
Parking Lot Etiquette
The Shadow Hills School parking lot is busy at the beginning and end of the day. Several important reminders are needed to make the flow of traffic safe and smooth during the school day.
To ensure a smooth and efficient drop-off process, please follow these guidelines:
Enter the parking lot and follow the car in front of you to the end of the drop-off zone.
Drop off your child at the designated drop-off point. Your child will then walk down the sidewalk and enter the campus on the right side.
Stay in your vehicle. If your student needs assistance getting dropped off, please use a parking spot. This helps ensure the drop-off line moves efficiently.
Do not cut in front of other cars.
Use the crosswalk located in the center of our parking lot when walking your child in.
Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our drop-off process safe and efficient for everyone
Emergency Preparedness Information-Parent/Guardian Role
In the event of an emergency evacuation, Grossmont Union School District school buses will be utilized. If such an evacuation would be required, the Sheriff's Department and the district administrative staff would safely transport your student(s) to a district directed evacuation site. Parents and guardians will be updated through the district emergency notification messaging system as to the nature of the evacuation, the destination of the students and school staff, as well as other critical information. Please do not come to the school site until directed. Please bring your photo ID for pickup. During an emergency, the notification system will contact the phone numbers and emails that are listed on a student's enrollment card. It is imperative you keep all information on your child’s Emergency Card up to date.
Homework Request
If your student is absent from school for one day, your child can obtain the make-up homework the next school day when they return. If your student will be absent for more than one school day and you want their homework, please email a request to their teacher. Please note that it may take up to 24 hours to prepare.
Illness
If a student displays a fever (100.0 and above) or vomits, the parent/guardian will be notified to take the student home. Students are to have a normal temperature for 24 hours before returning to school. Please visit the district website at www.alpineschools.net for current Covid-19 guidelines and protocols.
Lunch Area Guidelines
Use good manners and talk with neighbors.
Parents/Guardians are required to sign in at the office when having lunch with their child.
When finished eating, clean up your own area.
Sharing of food or lunch money is not permitted.
Tables will be excused to the playground when their area is clean.
All students must eat lunch every day unless the child’s parent writes a note permitting their child to skip lunch. This note needs to go to the health office.
Medication
If it is necessary for your child to take medication at school, the SCHOOL MEDICATION PERMISSION FORM, CEC 49423, must be completed by both the doctor and parent and brought to the school with the medication. No medication will be given at school without this authorization. This includes over the counter medication such as Tylenol, eye drops, and cough syrup, ointments, etc. These forms may be obtained in the office. NOTE: Only adults may transport medication to and from school.
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Parent/Teacher Conferences are held in November. Each student’s 1st Trimester report card is presented at the conference. Student dismissal will be at 12:52 pm during this week.
Personal Property
Students assume the responsibility for loss or damage to their clothing, equipment, books, or instruments. The school endeavors to protect all personal property but is not responsible for them. Large sums of money and articles of real or sentimental value should not be brought to school. Personal toys and games are not allowed in school.
Physical Education/Recess Participation
When a student is injured or ill and cannot participate in the physical education program or recess at school, a letter from the parent or guardian is necessary for the first three days of the nonparticipation. Thereafter, a written statement from the physician stating the nature of the problem and the duration the student will be exempt from participation is necessary.
Playground Guidelines
Playground supervisor’s whistle or school bell is a signal to stop all action and listen for directions.
Be courteous, share equipment and avoid interfering with games of others. No closed games.
Students are not permitted in hallways during recess/lunch unless they have a pass from their teacher.
Wrestling, chase, tag, keep-away, tackle football or other such contact games are not permitted at recess.
Proper use of playground equipment is required of all students. Examples: One direction of movement on slide…No jumping from any equipment…No pushing, grabbing, or stunting…Kick only soccer balls.
Safe and appropriate shoes are to be worn during recess and P.E. activities.
Throwing objects such as rocks, sticks or sand is NEVER permitted.
Preserving Instructional Time
At Shadow Hills School, the teachers have established guidelines for limiting classroom interruptions
which disrupts student learning. We thank you in advance for your support and cooperation.
Please do not interrupt your child’s classroom.
Arrive on time to school each day and be prepared to learn.
Drop off any items for students (i.e., lunches, homework, etc.) at the office. Your student will pick up the items on their lunch/recess.
If you need to speak to your child’s teacher, please send a note, email, voicemail, or schedule an appointment. If you are working as a classroom volunteer, please sign in at the office and leave your cell phone off when in the class.
School Hours: 8:50 am - 3:02 pm - Regular Days
8:50 am - 2:02 pm - Minimum Days
All students at Shadow Hills need to be in their seats and ready to learn by 8:50 am. Your student will miss out on valuable instructional time and miss directions for assignments when they are late to school. Please be on time to pick up your child after school. If needed, before or after school supervision can be arranged through the E.S.S. Program (619-659-8695) or Care Club (619-445-3553).
School Pride
Support Shadow Hills Hawks and wear red and/or black to show your school spirit every Friday. School themed clothing is available through our PTA.
Student Release
At times it is necessary for a student to be released early from school. Parents/guardians arriving at school must report to the office, show proper identification, and sign the student out. Children will only be released to an adult (18 years or older) listed on the emergency card or to someone specified in writing (copy provided to the office) by the parent. This individual will need to show proper identification to sign the student out. Once this is confirmed, your student will be called to the office for release.
Visitors/Volunteers
Parent and community volunteers must sign in at the school office upon arrival and wear a visitor badge. In order to protect the classroom learning environment, we request that you keep your cell phone turned off and that younger children not be present with parents during classroom volunteer time. Please keep in mind that information obtained while volunteering in the classroom is confidential and is not to be shared outside the classroom.
Wellness Policy
As of July 1, 2006, the Alpine Union School District adopted a new Wellness Policy. New federal legislation regulations require that school policies will mandate minimum nutritional requirements for all cafeteria meals. There will be revised guidelines that restrict food items offered in school fundraisers. Food and beverages that are served as part of classroom celebrations (parties) will also come under these new and more restrictive nutritional guidelines. Celebrations that include the serving of food must be limited to three per year.