Handbook

• Students are not to arrive at school before 8:00 am There is no supervision before 8:00 am  
• Parents/guardians are expected to pick up their students immediately upon dismissal. 
• Students who are dismissed at 2:15 pm may not wait unsupervised until the 2:45 pm dismissal time to leave the campus. They are not allowed to play on any play structures, throw or kick balls, climb on the Dilworth sign or trees, stay behind the bushes or near classroom windows while waiting.
• If you are on campus with your children between 2:15 pm and 2:45 pm and choose not to wait in your car, please wait with them in front of the school outside of the fencing. School is still in session and learning is occurring, so no one should be on campus until the upper grade students have been dismissed. 
• All students who are not picked up on time must wait in the office until a parent/guardian can pick them up.
• Our blacktop, playgrounds, and field are used by after school programs. Students who are not enrolled in these programs may not use the playground or blacktop due to liability concerns. Our campus opens for public use at 4:00pm on weekdays and is open on the weekends or non instructional days.
• Parents whose children habitually remain on campus past the dismissal time will be contacted by the principal to work on a plan so that your children will be picked up on time.

General Guidelines for Safe Drop-Off and Pick-Up:

• Drop-Off/Pick-Up Zones:
  • No parking and/or leaving your vehicle in the drop-off/pick-up zones. 🅿️🚫
  • The driver MUST remain in the vehicle in the drop-off/pick-up zones at ALL times. 🚗
  • If you need to leave your vehicle for any reason, please park either in the designated parking lot or on the street. 
• Restricted Areas:
  • There is absolutely no parking or stopping at any time in red-curbed areas, cross walks, or bus zones. 🛑🚌
• Pedestrian Safety:
  • Students are to walk on the sidewalks at all times. 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️
  • Students are to cross only at designated crosswalks. 
  • Jaywalking is dangerous and disrupts traffic flow. 
  • Students should not walk in the parking lot, cross at the entrance or exit of the driveways, or walk between parked cars. ⚠️
• Driving Safety:
  • Do not use cell phones while operating your vehicle. 📵
  • Follow all posted signage and instructions from school staff. 🚦
• Neighbor Respect:
  • Please do not block any driveways. 🏘️🚫
  • Please do not move trash cans or other personal property of our neighbors. 🗑️🚫

For detailed District Attendance Policies please visit the District Attendance Department website.

The Dilworth staff, School Site Council, and Home and School Club support the following guidelines: 

• Birthday celebrations may occur in the classrooms, but parents are asked not to bring food. Celebrations for birthdays should be with small books, pencils, or “goody bags” which contain non-food items.
• The serving of food can be reserved for holiday celebrations that occur throughout the year at the teacher's discretion.

Animals on Campus

California Education Code Section 32210, California Penal Code Section 626.8 and CUSD Policy, Administrative Regulation 330, stipulate that animals (e.g. horses, dogs, cats) are NOT allowed on school grounds, as posted on the metal signs located on the school grounds. Any service animals, as specified under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will be allowed.

Closed Campus

Dilworth is a closed campus school for the security of our students and staff. Students may not leave the school campus during school hours without being signed out by an authorized adult in the office. The parking lot is off limits to students at 8:15, and our gates are shut and locked at that time. Visitors can enter campus through Gate A on Strayer Drive and must report to the Administration Office to sign in. Adults without the proper visitor badge will be asked to leave.

If you need to pick up your child before the normal dismissal time, you must sign him/her out in the office. No child will be released without the appropriate office sign-out.

Education Code Section 32210 states that all visitors, including parents, volunteers and district employees must sign in at the office when school is in session. This policy is to ensure safety and order on campus and to minimize disruption to the classroom instruction. Each visitor must state their business and wear a school tag at all times during the visit.

It is important that the school has all your current address and phone numbers.  Remember to notify the office within 10 days of any changes in telephone numbers, emergency pick-up contacts…etc.  All changes of address must be done at the District Student Assignment Office.  In the event of an emergency, it is imperative that the school be able to contact you quickly. Your child can only be released to a person who is an emergency contact on your card. Your emergency contacts can be updated via the ParentVUE app, or by notifying the school office.

ParentSquare is our communication platform. ParentSquare is a two-way communication tool designed to keep parents informed and facilitate participation at school. You can set your preferred language in ParentSquare to send and receive all communication in that language (more than 100 languages are available!). You can also determine when you receive communication by customizing your notifications.

All District and school information will be sent to your computer or phone via email and text, or you can download the free mobile App to receive all posts, events, sign-up requests, photos, and files.

• iOS App - Apple Store
• Android App - Google Play Store

Please set aside some time each weekend to review Friday Folder materials and other school communications.

Teachers plan field trips as extension activities to the curriculum. The admission and transportation costs of these field trips are calculated using the total number of students in a class and must be paid in advance.  All field trip fees can be paid digitally through ParentSquare or via check/cash. If paying by check, please remember to write the student’s name and teacher name on the memo line of the check and be made out to Dilworth Elementary School. No student will be excluded due to his/her family’s inability to afford the cost of field trips.

Parents can volunteer their time to Dilworth in many ways. Examples can include assisting teachers in the classroom, photocopying, chaperoning field trips, small groups in the classroom, etc! If you would like to volunteer, please contact the school office at dilworth_frontoffice@cusdk8.org.

We must make sure that we are in compliance with California State regulations which mandates that parent volunteers who directly serve students in our schools be tested and cleared for tuberculosis in accordance with required state guidelines. Any parent in our school who is providing direct volunteer services to students, including chaperoning field trips and who has not been cleared through the accepted testing methods is not in compliance with state regulations and will be asked to leave until compliance is met.

All volunteers are required to arrange for a CA Department of Justice fingerprint clearance, be TB tested prior to volunteering and complete mandated training. For details see the District requirements HERE.

The school nurse is not at school daily, but various times throughout the week, and on an on-call basis. The office staff is trained to provide first aid. Illness and injury that occurs at home should not be referred to the school for care. We will send home a notice if your child has been exposed to a contagious illness (e.g. lice, pink eye) in the classroom.

Homework is important for students to learn responsibility, good work habits and study skills. The homework policy for each grade level may differ as to the types of homework assigned. The CUSD Board Policy recommends the following weekly time allotments:

• Primary (Grades 1-3)  15-40 minutes
• Upper (Grades 4-5)    60-240 minutes

If a student forgets his/her homework at school, s/he cannot return to the classroom after school unless the teacher is still in the classroom. The office staff and custodian do not reopen classrooms after school dismissal.

Homework requests

If a child is absent, parents may request homework through the school office. The request should be made before morning recess (10:00 a.m.) and the teacher will have the homework ready for pick up on the same day after 3:00 p.m. All homework will be in the school office for pick up. 

Please notify the office in advance if your child will be leaving Dilworth. This allows the school and the teacher time to prepare placement information for your child’s new school.

Dilworth Elementary School and the Cupertino Union School District (CUSD) cannot be held responsible for any personal property of students and visitors/volunteers.

Your child visits our library every other week with their class. The library is also open at recess and lunch. Please take time to read to/with your child each night. It is something you both will enjoy.

Books are treasures that we hope to keep around for a very long time so everyone will have the opportunity to enjoy them. Please remind your children that there are things they can do to help preserve the shelf life of a book.

1. Always have clean hands when reading a book.
2. Never eat or drink when reading books.
3. Take care when handling books. Books are considered fragile.
4. Store your books in a clean, safe, dry location when not in use. 
5. Never write or draw in a library book.

Dropping off Lunches

If you are dropping off a lunch for your child, please bring it to the cart in front of the office before 11:45 AM and not to the classroom directly so as to minimize interruptions. Please also email your child's classroom teacher to notify them and your child ahead of time. Make sure your child’s name and room number are clearly marked on the lunch. For your child’s safety, NEVER ask him/her to leave their class or playground to meet you in front of the school.  If lunches are not delivered by 12:00, students will be asked to get a hot lunch.

CUSD Food program

Lunch & Brunch are available to students at no cost. As hot lunches are subsidized by the state, they must be consumed on campus.   Students may not share or trade lunches. Contact the office for details.

 If you would like to learn more about the CUSD Nutrition program, please see their website: CUSD Student Nutrition. 

We are very proud of the many programs and opportunities available to our students and are pleased to share them with you.  If you would like to visit your child’s current classroom, please contact the school principal to set up a 20-minute guided observation and plan to check in to the office prior to the visit.

A parent-teacher goal setting conference occurs approximately 6-8 weeks after the start of school in October. The purpose of this conference is to set goals for the student. Please contact your child’s teacher if you feel a conference is needed, if you have a concern, or if you have information that may help the teacher to be more effective in working with your child. Please note that teachers are not available for conferences or phone calls during class hours but you are always welcome to send the teacher an email.

Report cards are issued at the end of each trimester. The report cards are standards-based and provide a method to evaluate, record, and communicate student progress on the Common Core State Standards.  In the core academic areas, students are given rubric scores.  The rubric is from 1-3, with a 3 indicating proficiency.  An “N/A” notes areas not yet covered or introduced in that trimester.   Teachers also rate all learning behaviors, work habits, mathematical practices, physical education, and visual and performing arts on a 3-point rubric: +, /, and -.

You may view your child’s cumulative records by making an appointment with the principal to do so.  An appointment must be made in advance.

Students in Grades Three through Five take standardized achievement tests, provided by the State of California, otherwise known as CAASPP. Results from these tests, other district tests, curriculum-related tests and daily assessments are used by teachers to evaluate students’ progress, plan instruction during the year, and help strengthen our academic programs.  The California Assessment of Student Performance & Progress (CAASPP) state assessments take place in the springtime.  For more information about the CAASPP assessments, please see the Parent Resources portion of their website. Additional specific information will be sent in the Spring to all 3rd-5th parents.

Students may use the school phone for emergencies only.  Forgotten homework, papers, books, water bottles…etc. are not considered emergencies. The school does not permit the use of the school phone to arrange for after school social events.

During school hours phones and smart devices (including watches) must be powered off and put away in their backpack, at their own risk. If a cell phone, smart watch, or other smart device is turned on and used during school hours, it will be collected and turned into the school office only to be picked up by a parent or guardian.

Your child will be charged for lost/destroyed library and classroom textbooks that they are responsible for. You will be charged the replacement cost of the lost/destroyed book.  Books are very expensive and the school cannot afford to absorb the cost of lost or destroyed books. If a lost book is found after you have paid for it, your money will be refunded.

The school grounds are open for community group use during daylight hours when school is not in session. Users must submit the appropriate Use Permits to CUSD for approval. The school does not provide any supervision on such types of activities. For details, visit the District Facility Use Permits website.

Students for whom English is a second language will take an the ELPAC English-Language development assessment each year.  This test identifies a student’s English proficiency level.  Students who are English Learners will receive oral language instruction and support daily.

All students at Dilworth have access to music, art, and physical education.  All students participate in 200 minutes of PE every 10 days.   4^th and 5^th grade students receive 50 minutes per week of music instruction, while TK-3 students receive 30 minutes per week.

Our 5^th grade students and teachers attend the Overnight Education Program for four days.  During that time, students receive hands-on learning in ecology, science and conservation. 

CUSD has a wide range of programs and services for students with learning challenges. Parent permission is required for student testing, and eligibility for services is based on federal/state criteria. The following services are available at Dilworth:

• The Resource Specialist is trained in assessing, identifying, and providing specially designed instruction for students with learning challenges who qualify for special education. The Resource Specialist also provides consultative support to classroom teachers and parents of special education students.
• The Speech and Language Pathologist provides speech and language therapy based on the child’s needs and eligibility. If you feel your child may have a speech, language or hearing problem, please discuss this with your child’s teacher.
• Special Day Class Programs are provided at other CUSD schools for students with learning challenges who qualify for special education and need specially designed instruction in a small class setting.
• The School Psychologist assesses students for learning challenges that may interfere with their school progress, and assists in developing the Individual Education Plans (IEP) for students eligible for Special Education. Our psychologist also provides general supports for all students with social, emotional, and behavioral development.

Students are provided many opportunities to support Dilworth through Peacemakers, Go Green Recycling, Lunch Helpers, Library Leaders, Student Council, and Puddlejumpers.

The Cupertino Union School District is committed to providing students with access to technology tools within their instructional program.  Dilworth has iPads and Chromebooks for student use, and all students have GSuite & Clever accounts, in addition to our various instructional tools like iReady.  In the fall, students & families are asked to sign a Student Responsible Use of Technology Policy outlining the safe, responsible practices expected for use of technology on campus.  Learning about digital citizenship and Internet safety is an integral part of the curriculum with Common Sense Media lessons. All students also have access to two online programs for reading: Sora and Overdrive for eBooks.

Student Conduct & School Rules

The key to effective discipline is consistency and positive support for appropriate behavior. We believe that:

• The attainment of good citizenship behavior is a shared responsibility of the home and the school.
• Adequate discipline and classroom management are essential to good citizenship and effective learning at school.
• Self-discipline, which includes being responsible for one’s own actions, is an important goal of education.

The Dragon BEs

Our school follows the Dragon BEs for our PBIS behavior expectations.  These behavioral expectancies for all areas of the school site are organized around four primary goals:

1. Be Safe
2. Be Respectful
3. Be Responsible
4. Be Empathetic

Dragon Rules

• Students must use appropriate language.  Name-calling, swearing or use of obscene language is strictly prohibited.
• No weapons of any kind, including toy weapons, are allowed on campus.
• There are no exclusive games or activities.
• During recess and lunch, all food is to be eaten at the picnic tables and benches. No food is allowed on the playground or field. 
• Students must remain seated at the picnic tables and wait to be dismissed by the yard duty supervisor(s).
• Students are NOT to bring cameras, toys, or electronic games, etc. from home.
• Stay on the mowed part of the grass area; do not play in the back section of the field.
• Walk on the blacktop and between buildings.
• Playground balls are to be kicked on the grass area only and never on the blacktop area. Rubber balls are the only type to be used on the ball walls.
• If a student brings appropriate playground equipment from home they are to follow all school rules and may not lock anyone out of a game. The school will not be responsible for lost or stolen equipment.
• When waiting in line, take your turn, do not give or take cuts or trade positions.
• Cell phones and smart watches must be turned off and stored in a backpack during the school day, including recess and lunch. If the device is used anytime during the school day, it will be confiscated and will only be returned to a parent/guardian. The school will not be responsible for lost or stolen devices.
• Students should not be bringing cash/money to school in greater amounts than $10. Larger amounts of money brought to school will be confiscated and returned to a parent/guardian for safekeeping. Dilworth is not responsible for lost, misplaced or stolen money.

Students are to attend school or school functions dressed in a manner that is clean and appropriate to their safety or to the safety of other students, and not disruptive of the normal routine of school. The administration reserves the right to determine whether clothing is inappropriate for the school setting. If students are caught with inappropriate dress, they will be referred to the office to correct the situation, which may include calling their parents to bring them another outfit. Habitual offenses may result in additional consequences as determined by the Principal.

• Clothing, jewelry, and personal items shall be free of writing, pictures, or any other insignia which is vulgar, lewd, obscene, or which promotes the use of alcohol, drugs, tobacco, or other illegal activity.
• Closed toed shoes appropriate to fully participate in all school activities, including physical education must be worn at all times.
• Clothes shall be sufficient to conceal undergarments.  See-through-tops and bare abdomens are prohibited.

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 administration.  In addition, the administration may impose dress requirements to accommodate the needs of special school activities, physical education classes, athletic activities, and other extracurricular and co-curricular activities.

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)

Dilworth is a tobacco-free/smoke-free facility in accordance with the State of California and CUSD Board Policy 3513.3. The possession of tobacco or any products containing tobacco or nicotine by any student is grounds for suspension.

• Firearms, firecrackers, rockets, explosives or any other similar dangerous objects
• Knives, including kitchen knives, plastic knives, pocket knives and rubber knives
• Toy weapons, including squirt guns or plastic type guns
• Firecrackers, poppers and rockets
• Alcoholic beverages
• Illegal drugs
• Smoking: cigarettes, etc.
• Matches and lighters

There shall be no use of equipment of any type that would present a hazard to other users or the property. Forbidden are golf balls, tennis balls, shot puts, archery, javelins, model rockets, or gasoline powered model airplanes.

Students are NOT allowed to engage in these activities:

• Fighting, play fighting, wrestling, chase games or tackling.
• Throwing of dirt, rocks, sand, tan bark, etc.
• Tripping, pushing, or piling up of players.
• Locking others out of games.
• Playing outside of the boundaries.
• Teasing and/or name calling of any kind.
• Selling items at school.

All Dilworth students are expected to follow the Dragon BEs, conducting themselves in a manner that is safe, respectful, responsible, and empathetic.  In the event that a student does not behave appropriately, disciplinary actions may take place as per Education Code and CUSD Board Policy 5131. 

Our school will actively address concerns about bullying, both at school and online.  Bullying of any kind will not be tolerated.  Bullying is defined as any severe or pervasive physical or verbal act or conduct, including communications made in writing or by means of an electronic act, directed toward one or more pupils that has or can be reasonably predicted to have the effect of one or more of the following:

• Placing a reasonable pupil or pupil in fear of harm to that pupil’s or those pupils’ person or property.
• Causing a reasonable pupil to experience a substantially detrimental effect on his or her physical or mental health.
• Causing a reasonable pupil to experience substantial interference with his or her academic performance.
• Causing a reasonable pupil to experience substantial interference with his or her ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities or privileges provided by a school.

Families who have concerns regarding bullying should first contact their child's teacher who will work with the school principal to resolve the behavior.

(Cal. Educ. Code § 48900.)

All lost clothing and lunch boxes are kept in the Lost and Found bin in the hallway near Room 17. These items, if not claimed, are donated to charity. Lost valuables such as keys, watches, glasses, jewelry, cell phones etc. are kept in the office.

Being a Dilworth Noon Aide provides you the opportunity to serve an important role to ensure a safe school environment for our students during lunch while working with our students. This is a paid position.  Please see the CUSD website under Human Resources for more info or contact the Principal.

If paid positions are unavailable, we always accept volunteers willing to spend their time with our students. Please contact the school office if you are interested.

Student photos take place three times a year: individual in the fall, class pictures in the winter, and individual in the spring.  Portrait order envelopes are sent home before the portrait day.