2. Sarona Vivanco for initially compiling and writing the first handbook, which this handbook has been derived from.

3. We would also like to thank our Topeka Tomorrow 2008-2009 Corporate Sponsors.

4. Please check out their ads in our book and take your business to them when you can – let’s all thank them for supporting our school!

5. 2008-2009 CALENDAR

6. Classes BeginWednesday, September 3, 2008

7. Banked Day – school ends at 1:28 p.m.Tuesday, September 9, 2008

8. Banked Day – school ends at 1:28 p.m.Tuesday, September 16, 2008

9. Banked Day – school ends at 1:28 p.m.Tuesday, September 23, 2008

10. Unassigned Day – school is closedTuesday, September 30, 2008

11. Banked Day – school ends at 1:28 p.m.Tuesday, October 7, 2008

12. Unassigned Day – school is closedThursday, October 9, 2008

13. Banked Day – school ends at 1:28 p.m.Tuesday, October 14, 2008

14. Banked Day – school ends at 1:28 p.m.Tuesday, October 21, 2008

15. Banked Day – school ends at 1:28 p.m.Tuesday, October 28, 2008

16. Banked Day – school ends at 1:28 p.m.Tuesday, November 4, 2008

17. Veteran’s Day (Legal Holiday)Tuesday, November 11, 2008

18. Banked Day – school ends at 1:28 p.m.Tuesday, November 18, 2008

19. Banked Day – school ends at 1:28 p.m.Tuesday, November 25, 2008

20. Thanksgiving Holiday (Legal Holiday)Thursday, November 27, 2008

21. School HolidayFriday, November 28, 2008

22. Minimum Day – school ends at12:33 p.m.Monday, December 1, 2008

23. Banked Day – school ends at 1:28 p.m.Tuesday, December 2, 2008

24. Minimum Day – school ends at 12:33 p.m.Wednesday, December 3, 2008

25. Minimum Day – school ends at 12:33 p.m.Thursday, December 4, 2008

26. Minimum Day – school ends at 12:33 p.m.Friday, December 5, 2008

27. Banked Day – school ends at 1:28 p.m.Tuesday, December 9, 2008

28. Banked Day – school ends at 1:28 p.m.Tuesday, December 16, 2008

29. Minimum Day – school ends at 12:33 p.m.Friday, December 19, 2008

30. Winter RecessDecember 22, 2008 to January 9, 2009

31. Banked Day – school ends at 1:28 p.m.Tuesday, January 13, 2009

32. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Legal Holiday)Monday, January 19, 2009

33. Banked Day – school ends at 1:28 p.m.Tuesday, January 20, 2009

34. Banked Day – school ends at 1:28 p.m.Tuesday, January 27, 2009

35. Banked Day – school ends at 1:28 p.m.Tuesday, February 3, 2009

36. Banked Day – school ends at 1:28 p.m.Tuesday, February 10, 2009

37. President’s Day (Holiday)Monday, February 16, 2009

38. Banked Day – school ends at 1:28 p.m.Tuesday, February 17, 2009

39. Banked Day – school ends at 1:28 p.m.Tuesday, February 24, 2009

40. Banked Day – school ends at 1:28 p.m.Tuesday, March 3, 2009

41. Banked Day – school ends at 1:28 p.m.Tuesday, March 10, 2009

42. Banked Day – school ends at 1:28 p.m.Tuesday, March 17, 2008

43. Banked Day – school ends at 1:28 p.m.Tuesday, March 24, 2009

44. Banked Day – school ends at 1:28 p.m.Tuesday, March 31, 2008

45. Spring RecessApril 6 through April 10, 2009

46. Banked Day – school ends at 1:28 p.m.Tuesday, April 14, 2009

47. Banked Day – school ends at 1:28 p.m.Tuesday, April 21, 2009

48. Banked Day – school ends at 1:28 p.m.Tuesday, April 28, 2009

49. Banked Day – school ends at 1:28 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, 2009

50. Banked Day – school ends at 1:28 p.m.Tuesday, May 12, 2009

51. Banked Day – school ends at 1:28 p.m.Tuesday, May 19, 2009

52. Memorial Day (Legal Holiday) Monday, May 25, 2009

53. Banked Day – school ends at 1:28 p.m.Tuesday, May 26, 2009

54. Minimum Day – school ends at 12:33 p.m.Thursday, May 28, 2009

55. Banked Day – school ends at 1:28 p.m.Tuesday, June 2, 2009

56. Banked Day – school ends at 1:28 p.m.Tuesday, June 9, 2009

57. Banked Day – school ends at 1:28 p.m.Tuesday, June 16, 2009

58. Minimum Day – school ends at 12:33 p.m.Friday, June 19, 2009

59. Last Day of InstructionFriday, June 19, 2009

60. A LETTER FROM PRINCIPAL KITAYAMA

62. parking across the street and calling for children to run across;

64. The bicycle has a current City of Los Angeles Bicycle License;

65. The student wears a bicycle helmet whenever riding the bicycle;

66. The bicycle is in good condition and has a lock; and

68. When using the drop-off/pick-up zone, remain in your vehicle. Do not leave vehicles unattended in these zones to quickly deliver a child to their classroom.

69. Per Fire Department rules, there is no stopping on Topeka Drive starting at the corner of Labrador Street before 5:00 p.m. on school days.

70. Double parking is prohibited at all times. Do not pull up next to a parked vehicle in order to have a child get out of your car.

71. Do not block school buses at any time.

72. Stop when you see school buses with red lights flashing, and proceed only when they are turned off.

73. U-turns are prohibited on Topeka Drive, Labrador Street, Donna Avenue, and Superior Street, as are 3-point turns in driveways.

74. The Staff Parking Lot is for the use of staff only.

75. Never let a child out of a car and onto the street. Please have children exit vehicles on curb side only.

76. Watch your speed.

77. Observe all seatbelt can child car seat laws.

80. The California Achievement Tests, Sixth Edition Survey (CAT/6) is for grades 3 and 7.

81. The Spanish Assessment of Basic Education (SABE/2) is administered to Spanish speaking English Learners in grades 2 through 11 who have been enrolled in California public schools less than 12 months.

83. Display higher achievement in reading;

84. Are assigned higher quality and more grade appropriate homework;

85. Observe more similarities between family and school;

86. See parents, school, and the larger community contributing to their education;

87. Demonstrate improved achievement; and,

88. See the link between schoolwork and future careers.

90. Clean;

91. Not offensive;

93. A student is on an emergency errand directed by a parent or guardian.

94. A student is going or coming directly from their place of gainful employment.

95. A student is going to or returning from a medical appointment.

96. A student has permission to leave campus for lunch and has in his/her possession a school issued permit.

98. Determine the classroom activity you are observing and keep the classroom observation time and frequency reasonable.

99. Follow the school’s established procedures for scheduling an appointment with teachers and / or principal/ designee after the classroom visit, if needed. Give the school office your written request for the date and time of a conference. Please indicate the name of the teacher with whom you wish to meet.

101. Do not converse with the students, teacher, and / or instructional aides during the visitation.

103. To increase student time on task.

104. To achieve consistence in discipline in the school.

105. To provide students with clear expectations concerning behaviors.

106. To improve home and school communication and cooperation for the benefit of the students.

108. Personal items such as toys, balls, radios, etc. may not be brought to school except for sharing time in class and permission by the teacher.

109. Children are expected to settle their differences without resorting to physical means – Those who do will be held accountable for their behavior – consequences range from warnings to suspensions depending on the circumstances

110. Bicycles may be ridden to school by fourth and fifth grade students with permits from the school.

111. Gum chewing is not allowed at any time at Topeka

112. Profanity is out of place on campus.PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM______________________________________________<br />Some grades levels established detention procedures at recess and /or lunchtime. Student referral to this program is based on incomplete schoolwork, homework, and misbehavior. <br />PART 7 – LAUSD INFORMATION AND POLICIES<br />Please take the time to read the LAUSD Parent-Student Handbook for 2008-2009. A copy of this Handbook will be distributed to every student. This important booklet has Federal and State laws, codes, and LAUSD regulations and policies relative to the operation of the public school system, such as Non discrimination Statement, Sexual Harassment Policy, Special Education, Conduct of Pupils, Absences, Immunizations, Health Information, Internet Access, and Uniform Complaint Procedures. Parents and guardians as the responsible adult for a student in the LAUSD must read this material, and sign and return to school the receipt on the last page of the LAUSD Parent-Student Handbook.<br />The LAUSD Parent-Student Handbook is also available on line at www. LAUSD.net in several languages including English, Spanish, Armenian, Chinese, Korean, Russian and Vietnamese.<br />PART 8 – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS<br />What do I do if my student is late to school?<br />Please write a note to the school office. Have the student report to the office to deliver the note and pick up their attendance card. Please encourage your student to attend school on time, and please schedule medical or dental appointments for after school.<br />My child was absent from school yesterday. What do I need to send to school verifying the absence?<br />It is required by state law that absence of children from school, whether due to illness or non-illness, be verified by a note from the parent or guardian. Please include the child’s name, days not in attendance, and the reason for the absence. If illness, please indicate the nature of the illness and have your child give the note to his/her teacher upon returning to school.<br />What do I do if my student forgets to bring homework/lunch/jacket to school, and I want to drop it off?<br />Parents may come to the school office and drop off the material. Please clearly label the items with the student’s name and room number. Student monitors will take materials to class before recess and after lunch.<br />My child is sick today and not attending school. Can someone pick up their homework?<br />Homework is typically not sent home for absences of fewer than three days. For students who will miss more than three days of school, please contact the classroom teacher to discuss missed homework.<br />Where can I buy breakfast and lunch tickets?<br />You may purchase breakfast and lunch tickets at the cafeteria before school. Only cash is accepted for the purchase of meal tickets.<br />How do I get my Topeka student out of class in case of a family emergency?<br />Occasionally, a medical appointment or family emergency makes it necessary for children to be released before regular dismissal time. In this event, the parent or guardian must sign a release note, available in the school office. Students may only be released to adults listed on the emergency care, In case the adult is not listed on the emergency care, parents may give permission in writing for their child’s release. Sorry, there will be no phone permission. Children will not be released from school to walk home alone before the end of the school day.<br />What do I do if my family is moving to another area, and our Topeka student will be attending another school?<br />Please inform the school office in advance, and indicate the name of the new school. If the new school is within the LAUSD, please obtain a Pupil Attendance Record (PAR) from the school office. You will receive documentation to take to the new school.<br />Why do the large main gates to the school on Topeka Drive remain locked at all times?<br />This is for safety reasons. Topeka maintains a secure perimeter so that the school office can monitor all visitors. The small main gate remains open from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. each school day. Visitors must check in at the office before entering the campus.<br />What do I do if I am concerned about something that happened at school?<br />Always start with contacting your student’s teacher. Write a note or leave a message in the office for the teacher requesting a conference. Most concerns can be taken care of during a phone call or parent-teacher conference. If you still have a concern after conferring with the teacher, call the office and ask to make an appointment with an administrator.<br />PART 9 – IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS<br />Topeka Drive School Office818-886-2266<br />Topeka Drive School Fax Machine818-885-7682<br />To report loitering or truancy1-800-TO-LAUSD<br />To report vandalism213-625-6631<br />LAUSD Local District I Office818-654-3600<br />LAUSD Police – Valley Division818-893-6423<br />Devonshire Division LAPD818-756-8283<br />Northridge Library818-886-3640<br />Nobel Middle School818-349-4200<br />Northridge Park818-349-7341<br />City Councilman Greig Smith818-756-8501<br />190500Huntington Learning Center<br />Devonshire Reseda Shopping Center<br />18527 Devonshire Street<br />Northridge, CA 91324<br />Phone: 818-360-7700 <br />http://northridge.huntingtonlearng.com<br />254000178435<br />Brian J. Kim DDS MSD<br />10515 Balboa Blvd., Suite 280 <br />Granada Hills, CA 91344<br />Phone: 818.363.7900<br />Fax: 818.368.7111 <br />http://www.kimorthodontics.com<br />Friends of Topeka Sponsors Jackie Combs Floral Design 818-363-7861 or 818- 515-3499 jackiecombsfloraldesign.com MVP Athletic Apparel 616-618-0599 or 616-259-4286 jack@mvpathleticapparel.com Paquito Mas 9229 Winnetka Ave, Chatsworth, CA 91311 818-775-1555 Partyscapes of Northridge818-359-0624 or 818-723-2715 partyscapesmail@sbcglobal.net Traveling Pea 818-998-6154 heather.tp@gmail.com Delicious Bakery 9147 Reseda Blvd, Northridge, CA 91324 818-349-5700 <br />