School Policies

General School Standards of Conduct

It is the collected belief of the Castle Heights Community that student academic achievement is maximized in a safe and orderly learning environment. A school wide code of conduct outlining standards for positive behaviors sets the foundation for student and staff responsibilities.

In addition to District Policies on student behavior such as those related to harassment, bullying, weapons, and fighting, all students at Castle Heights are expected to adopt the following Standards of Conduct to the best of their abilities:

Students will accept the guidance of all teachers, aides, and other adults assigned to our school by listening to and following directions.

Students will come to school prepared to learn, will stay on task and will complete assignments.

Students will respect themselves and others by:

Listening and waiting for their turn to speak
Respecting school property and the property of others
Treating others with kindness and acceptance

Students will leave inappropriate items such as gum, candy, soda, toys, trading cards, radios, game boys, etc. at home and will not use cell phones during the school day.

Students will come to school dressed in clothing that is appropriate and safe for school. Students are not to wear baggy pants, short-shorts, crop tops, shirts with inappropriate or explicit language/logos, sheer blouses, open toe shoes, long dangling earrings or expensive jewelry.

Students will keep our school clean and beautiful by:

Cleaning up after snacks or lunch
Putting all trash in trash cans and recycling plastic bottles in blue containers
Remembering not to mark or write on school walls or property
Using the restrooms appropriately and not wasting supplies or water

Students will maintain a safe environment on the playground by:

Walking to and from line up areas
Using playground equipment correctly and within their assigned areas
Asking adults to help solve problems that occur
Never fighting with other students or using insulting or demeaning language

Individual teachers will develop classroom standards that are appropriate for their specific group of children but remain within the confines of these general standards.

Consequences for misbehavior vary with the severity of the action. When a verbal warning is not sufficient, students may be given a time out, asked to write letters to parents, be sent to the office, or have parents contacted immediately. Severe infractions, such as fighting, destroying property or possession of illegal items, will result in administrative intervention.

Homework Policy

Koreh L.A.

We wanted to let you know about a fabulous program called KOREH L.A., which we can use to train our parent volunteers to offer reading support to our students.

For the past five years at Castle Heights, we've used about 20 community KOREH L.A. volunteers to meet one-on-one with students who need extra help in reading. However, we have more students who could use this help than we have volunteers. It's time to tap into our parents to build the pool of KOREH volunteers.

To become a KOREH volunteer, you need to complete a 3-hour training. Then, Chris Biblarz, CHES's Community Representative, can pair you with a student who needs your help. You would meet with your student for about an hour, once per week, during the school day.

There's a lot of flexibility in terms of days and times. KOREH trainings are offered regularly at various locations (see below).

If you are interested in becoming a KOREH volunteer and helping our Castle Heights students improve their reading skills, please contact Chris at 310-839-4528 or crb2538@lausd.k12.ca.us and let her know.

Thank you!

To learn more about KOREH L.A., you can check out the website, www.korehla.org

Purposeful homework is a necessary part of each student's educational program as it:

Is based on the needs of the class or individual student and is directly related to the content and objectives being taught.
Provides the student with time to complete or expand upon assignments begun in class.
Provides opportunities for the student to engage in creative projects, self-directed activities and research.
Helps develop good work habits and a sense of responsibility for completing tasks on time.

Homework Assignments should be:

Reasonable in content, length and resources required.
Aligned to reinforce or enrich student knowledge or extend learning abilities.
Stated in terms of the standard, skill or concept being reinforced.
Thoroughly explained by the teacher in advance and understood by the student, who then has the responsibility to complete and return the work by the expected due date.
Acknowledged and recorded by the teacher in a timely manner and reviewed with students.

While homework may be scheduled over an extended period of time that may include weekends and vacations, homework WILL be assigned for a MINIMUM of four days a week (Monday through Thursday). The average time needed for completion of homework assignments per day varies according to grade level.

Parent/Student/Teacher Compact

THE TEACHER PLEDGE:

I understand the importance of the school experience for every student and my role as a teacher and a role model. I agree to carry out the following responsibilities to the best of my ability:

I will provide a positive, safe, rigorous standards-based learning environment for every student.
I will motivate and use different strategies to assist every student according to their needs.
I will monitor the progress of each student and design my instructional program accordingly.
I will regularly communicate with parents regarding my expectations and their child's progress.
I will teach the necessary skills and concepts to all students before assigning homework.
I will correct and return student work in a regular and timely manner.

THE STUDENT PLEDGE:

I realize that my Standards-Based Education is important to me. It helps me develop the skills I will need to lead a productive life. I know I am responsible for my own success and must work hard to achieve it. Therefore, I agree to carry out the following responsibilities to the best of my ability:

I will arrive to class on time, everyday.
I will be responsible for my own learning by listening attentively to the teacher, following directions and asking for help when needed.
I will be responsible for my own behavior by respecting other people and property and by following the established Code of Conduct.
I will take my weekly folder home to keep my parents informed and return it as required.
I will complete and return homework on time in addition to reading for 20 minutes every day.

THE PARENT PLEDGE:

I understand that participation in my child's education is critical to his/her achievement and attitude. Therefore, I agree to carry out the following responsibilities to the best of my ability:

I will make sure my child safely arrives to school on time.
I will ensure that my child gets adequate sleep, has a healthy diet and is dressed appropriately for school.
I will ensure that my child completes and returns his/her homework on time by providing a quiet place/time for my child to do homework with appropriate supplies.
I will provide support for any project with which my child requests assistance.
I will require that my child engages in reading activities for at least 20 minutes every day.
I will review all school communications and return the weekly student folder promptly.
I will attend and support "Back to School Night," Parent Conferences, Open House and other school events.

For questions or comments about the content of this site, please email Ann Warren.