Cascade Canyon

FAQs

How early may I drop my child off at school? School opens at 8:20 a.m.  There will be no supervision prior to that time. Also, please respect the teachers’ class preparation time in the morning and schedule appointment times during their afternoon hours if you wish to discuss anything with them. What time does school start? School starts at 8:30 a.m sharp.  K-4 students enter from the back entrance of the Lower Grades Campus, and 5-8 students enter through the main door of the Upper Grades Campus. What time does the school day end? 3:00 p.m.  For liability reasons, and to ensure your child’s safety, children cannot be left at school unattended and must be picked-up or walk home (with prior written parental permission) by 3:10 p.m.  Teachers who provide child care services after the end of school are entitled to charge for their time ($35 per 1/2 hr.) in the event of a later pick-up. Should I call if my child is sick, will be arriving at school late, or if we are planning to be on vacation during regularly scheduled class times? Absolutely. You should call the Office at 415-459-3464, leaving a message on the machine (preferably by 8:00 a.m.) with your child’s name and the reason for the tardiness or absence if no one answers the phone.  If a student has not arrived by 9:00 a.m. and no call or message has been received, our Office Manager will call to say your child has not arrived at school and she/he will be marked with an unexcused absence. When my child is sick, should I keep her/him home? Yes, and please let the Office know. Kindly do not send contagious children to school.  If a child becomes sick at school, a staff member will call you to arrange for her/him to be picked up. How can I contact my child’s teacher? You may call the Office and leave a message there if classes are in session.  Messages on the answering machine will be checked several times a day and teachers will return phone calls as soon as possible.  Kindly do not call CCS staff at their homes. How can I get a message to my child? Urgent messages and emergency calls should be directed to the Office. No other messages will be delivered. Students are not allowed to use the Office phone unless under the direction of a teacher for school purposes. What should students wear to school? Students should wear appropriate clothing for a school environment.  We encourage jeans or comfortable pants as much of the school day is active.  Please keep in mind that unless weather is inclement, students will be spending their recesses and lunch periods outside, every day, therefore you should always make sure that they bring appropriate outerwear (sweater, sweatshirt, jacket or raincoat).  Younger children will need a complete change of clothes (kept at school in a small box, labeled with their name).  For P.E. classes, all students must wear appropriate shoes and shorts/pants (no “jellies”, sandals or party/platform shoes). Are carpools available? We encourage carpooling and suggest that you consult the CCS Phone List. How can parents help in the classrooms? There are many volunteer jobs available through the Parent Participation Program.  Contact you child’s teacher if you would like to make additional time contributions. Are parents able to take part in day fieldtrips? We could not run our fieldtrip program without parent participation.  All parents will be responsible for driving on at least two fieldtrips for the school year; and all fieldtrip dates are noted on the school calendar included in this Handbook.  Driving on fieldtrips will go towards fulfilling your PPP requirement. Are siblings welcome on fieldtrips or overnights? For liability and supervision reasons, we cannot allow siblings to join us on our fieldtrips. How is school news disseminated? Correspondence is sent home via e-mail on Wednesdays. Please make sure to check your e-mail on Wednesdays for these weekly school updates. Refer to school calendar, school newsletters, notice boards at the entrances of both the Lower and Upper Grades Campuses for updates and reminders. What school events are we expected to attend?     Back-to-School Night     Parent-Teacher Conferences     Thanksgiving/Variety Show     Winter Celebration     Closing Ceremonies/8th Grade Graduation Please check the school calendar for specific dates. Are overnight fieldtrip costs included in the tuition? No.  They are paid separately.  Generally, costs are based on transportation, admission, food, accommodation and parking. Should children bring extra spending money on trips? No.  We do not stop to purchase food or drinks.  However, in some instances, teachers may notify parents if students will be allowed to purchase souvenirs. How are children accommodated on overnight fieldtrips? Students stay in cabins, comparable dormitory style accommodations, or tents.  Either our teachers sleep in the room with the younger ones or close by them. The children are always able to awaken a teacher in case of sickness.  Our teachers have many years of experience dealing with homesickness and other first-time-away from home problems.  Please discuss your child’s needs thoroughly with her/his teacher. My child still wets the bed. Is s/he welcome on overnight fieldtrips? Yes, but be sure to let the teacher know in advance so that s/he may discreetly handle the situation.  Please send a plastic sheet and extra clothes. What kind of food is served on overnight fieldtrips? When we stay at outdoor education schools, well-balanced meals are provided by the facility.  For our camping trips, students, by class and with the guidance of teachers, plan their own meals, following established nutritional guidelines while developing budgeting skills.  Accommodations are made for special dietary needs and/or concerns. What should I pack for school lunches? Please pack a nutritious lunch and snack, avoiding sugars and additives.  Please send your child with a healthy drink and extra water for fieldtrips. Kindly avoid glass containers in your packing.  No gum, candy or caffeinated drinks are allowed at school.  Note that the school does not have the facilities to refrigerate, cook or microwave foods so pack lunches and snacks accordingly. Is Cascade Canyon School a non-profit corporation? Yes, we are a non-profit educational corporation. Donations to CCS are tax-deductible. Are students always seat-belted in cars on trips? Absolutely-it is mandatory. How do teachers handle discipline? Please refer to the Behavior Policy section of this Handbook. Our staff treats students with respect for their feelings and in a non-judgmental way.  They are not punitive.  We encourage students to take responsibility for their actions and utilize conflict resolution techniques to help ensure that this happens.   We do not permit weapons or any sort of controlled substances.  Students violating these rules will be suspended without further warning and permanent dismissal will be discussed. Are PPP and fundraising the same program? No.  They are two separate programs.  Buying out of one does not relieve your obligation for the other one. Can I use my PPP hours for fundraising or vice versa? No.  They are two separate programs. Do we receive a bill for tuition? No. E-mail reminders will be sent monthly.