Major Achievements
• Payne Elementary School’s Academic Performance Index (API) currently stands at 811. For the first time this year, we exceeded the state benchmark of 800. This score is based on the California Standards Tests and California Achievement Test given each year to Payne students. The API provides an understanding of how Payne School compares to other schools in California. Our API score has increased significantly in the last few years, from 727 in 2006.

• Through collaboration and data analysis, the staff is working hard to identify areas of improvement. Writing, vocabulary building, and comprehension are areas of concern and remain a major focus for datadriven discussions and instruction. Professional development opportunities support staff in developing additional skills in these areas; weekly staff meetings center on data and best teaching practices. Special
parent meetings are held continuously throughout the school year to share schoolwide test results and strategies for improving student performance. Parents are given tools to support learning at home throughout the year.

• Payne School will maintain a schoolwide goal to increase student achievement in all academic areas, with reading as a priority. Focus for Improvement

• Continue to use pre- and post-assessments in all grade levels to earlier identify students who are having difficulties in reading and writing.

• Offer prescribed interventions (extra help) to students performing below state and district benchmarks. Interventions take place before, during, and after school.

• Focus on key standards and district pacing guides.

• Continue to use grade-level math and writing grading systems to better prepare students for the district math and writing assessments.
• Implement Professional Learning Communities.

 

SCHOOL VISIT

All visitors must report to the main office.  Parents/visitors are not to go directly to the classrooms.  They must sign in and obtain a visitor’s pass.

UNIFORMS
The school uniforms are white tops and navy blue pants, skirts or dresses.  Students are expected to wear their uniforms daily.  Studies have shown that there is a close correlation between a person’s appearance and his/her self-esteem.  Students who are neatly dressed tend to develop high self-esteem, participate and excel in the classroom.

• No make-up or large jewelry are to be worn to school.
• Caps/hats are to be worn after the office has issued permission.
• Shirts with prints across the front or back should not be worn.
• Shoes and socks are required at all times.  Sandals are not permitted.
• Students who are inappropriately dressed for school will be sent to the office to request suitable clothes from home. 

DROP OFF AND PICK UP FROM SCHOOL
We are always concerned about traffic and safety.

• Please drive slowly and carefully when dropping off and picking up your child/children.
• Do not double park, block or stop in the middle of the street, while waiting for your child to enter through the gate. 
• Be considerate and remember that other drivers are behind you.
• You will be cited by the Inglewood Police Department for traffic violations.

ATTENDANCE

Daily school attendance is one of the most important factors to academic growth.  When absences are unavoidable, parents must send a note to explain absences.  Students who attend classes daily and are always early to school are given monthly recognition. 

• After 3 absences, parents must attend a meeting with the Student Attendance Review Team (SART) to discuss possible interventions.
• Continuous unexplained absences will be referred to the Student Attendance Review Board (SARB) for further legal action.
• If it is necessary to miss more than three days of school due to family travel or business, students must bring a note from their parent to the office, one week in advance to request assignments.  The student is expected to pick up the work, to complete all assignments, and to turn in all work. 

PERFECT ATTENDANCE

Is defined as a student not being absent or tardy to school.  Students who maintain daily attendance and are also on time are recognized monthly.

LATE ARRIVALS

Punctuality is of utmost importance at Centinela School.  However, children arriving to school late (after 8:30) must first report to the office.  Please be reminded that three tardies constitutes truancy.

LEAVING EARLY

If students must leave the campus early, whether for illness or other personal reasons, parents must come to the office first to inform the office staff.  Students will not be released to anyone who is not designated on the emergency cards.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

Students’ health and safety are of vital importance to both home and school.  Therefore, it is necessary to report any change of address and/or phone numbers immediately to the office.  For every student, accurate and updated information must always be on file.

DISCIPLINE POLICY

Discipline that builds Self-Discipline demonstrates respect for self, others and authority.  It is the responsibility of adult’s to help students have a good sense of self in order to function efficiently within the society.After clearly communicating expectations and consequences to students, Centinela’s staff will:

• Lead with empathy:  Putting ourselves in the child’s position and taking child’s feelings seriously.
• Discuss problem/situation:  Listening with an open mind and not becoming judgmental.
• Discuss options to manifested behaviors:  Examining how situation could have been deal with otherwise.
• Examine consequences/identify appropriate responses:  Helping students to make choices that will deter future inappropriate responses.
• Mediate:  Allowing peer-mediators to intervene and rectify negative behaviors displayed by disputants and to help them assume responsibility for their behaviors.
• Reward or Admonish:  Giving students the opportunity to examine themselves by recognizing that there are consequences for their behaviors. 

CENTINELA’S POSITIVE BEHAVIOR PLAN

Purpose:  To ensure that each child will be able to learn and exist in a safe, nurturing and non-threatening school environment.

Focus:  To model and reward behavior that reflects positively; while extinguishing and modifying behavior deemed to be unacceptable (i.e. disrespect, violence, drugs, or alcohol.)

THREE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS FOR SUCCESS

Parent Responsibilities:  To model and reinforce positive behavior that your child should display in the classroom and on the school campus.
School Responsibilities:  In an effort to build a positive self-disciplined citizenry, we as a school will implement, model and reinforce rules that are fair and attainable by all students.
Students Responsibilities:  Must appropriately conduct themselves in a positive manner at all times, and adhere to the rules set forth by the school personnel (administrators, teachers, and support staff).

All sides are dependent on one another for a successful outcome

STANDARD SCHOOL RULES

School Rules:  This school rules apply to all students:

• Vulgar or foul language is not allowed.
• Zero tolerance for drugs, weapons, cigarettes or alcohol.
• Keep your hands, feet and other objects to yourself.
• Zero tolerance for any type of physical or verbal abuse.
• No inappropriate clothing (sagging pants, high heels).
• Disrespect towards administrators, teachers, staff members, and a fellow student is unacceptable.
• Disruption of classroom activities does not only retard your progress, but also the progress of others.
• Absolutely no cell phones/pagers
• Boys are not to wear earrings.
• No open-toed shoes, hats, caps, head wraps, bandanas, oversized jewelry, or make-up.

Rewards:  Activities/events used to acknowledge students who display proper school behavior

• Public recognition through awards/praise.
• Participation in on and off campus activities/functions.
• Rewards and incentives (which could include: movies, park visits, assemblies, talent shows, field trips, Principal’s Awards).
• Surprise recognition/intrinsic motivation.

Consequences:  Action(s) to be taken in the event a student does not adhere to the School Rules.

• 1st Offense: Verbal warning/redirection to encourage self-discipline.
• Teacher imposed detention (recess and/or lunch)
• 2nd Offense:  Parent contact (note or phone call)
• 3rd Offense:  Parent conference w/teacher
• Peace Table Meeting with discipline committee.   Behavior Modification contract will be signed.
• Possible suspension*
• Possible expulsion*

* Some acts can result in immediate suspension and expulsion (i.e. drugs, weapons, violence, sexual harassment, etc)

PROHIBITED ITEMS

Students are not allowed to bring any of the following items to school unless the teacher has given them permission.

• Electronic Devices or games.  These items may be misplaced or lost and will create disturbance in the classroom.
• Weapons:  Students are prohibited for bringing any object that may be deemed a weapon.  These include but are not limited toknives, razors or any item with sharp edges, tasers or imitation weapons.  Students who are caught with any of these items will be expelled from school.
• Drugs:  Students are not allowed to bring any drugs, medications, lozenges or cold medicines to school.  Parent must report to the school nurse any medications that need to be given to students.
• Gum Chewing:  Students are not allowed to bring or chew gum.  Careless disposal of gum in drinking fountains, on furniture and floors presents sanitation and cleaning problems. 

PLAYGROUND EXPECTATIONS:

• No food is allowed on the playground or in multipurpose room or classroom unless otherwise stated by the teacher.
• Running is permitted when it is a part of  structured supervised activity.
• Tagging, kicking, and chasing are not approved games.
• Playground equipment should not be taken to the classrooms.
• Do not deface buildings or bathrooms by scratching or writing any gang-related slogans.
• Stand quietly in straight lines after the bell rings, and walk orderly to the classrooms.
• Stop when whistle is blown and do as told.
• Students must use the bathrooms and drink water during recess.
  

EATING AREA EXPECTATIONS:

All students are served nutritious and well-balanced breakfast and lunch daily.  Students are expected to:

1. Eat their food and snacks in the lunch area only.
2. Show gratitude by eating the food served to them.
3. Leave the tables and eating area clean by disposing of their trays in the trash bins.
4. Play only in assigned areas.  Do not play on tables and benches in the eating area.
5. Follow the directions of the yard supervisors, teachers, mediators and other adults in the eating area.
6. Make–up work can be completed in the eating area with the supervision of an adult.
   

HALL PASSES
Students are allowed in the halls only with a hall pass.  It is the responsibility of the students to obtain these passes.  Students are not to come to the office during school hours without a hall pass. 

TELEPHONE CALLS
Telephones in the main office are for emergency student use only.  Students who need to use the office phone must sign the phone log.

CELL PHONE POLICY
Cell phones and pagers may only be used before or after school and must be kept out of sight.  If the cell phone /pager rings during school hours, the cell phone/pager will be confiscated and returned only to the parents.  Student who is in possession of the phone/pager will be assigned a consequence.  The school will assume no responsibility for stolen, lost or damaged cell phones/pagers.

PHONE MESSAGES

Phone messages to your child during the school day require the office staff to interrupt the class to give your child the message.  Please limit phone messages to emergencies only.

PEER MEDIATION
At Centinela School, students are given the opportunity to build self-esteem and leadership skills.  Students who display positive behaviors and receive excellent grades are given the opportunity to mediate with their peers to resolve conflicts.  During the process, mediators give disputants the chance to identify positive responses instead of using force.

STUDENT COUNCIL

• Members are voted into the position by staff and students.
• Members facilitate communication between the students, teachers and administration.
• They will also have a voice in decisions that affect student welfare, conduct and other concerns that affect the school.

LOST AND FOUND
Students are encouraged to take lost articles to the office to be claimed by the owner.  Any small unclaimed article is given to the finder after a week.  However, parents are encouraged to label their child’s/children’s sweaters and jackets and check for lost items in the lost and found bins in the cafeteria.

PARENT CONFERENCES
The Staff of Centinela School believes that parents and teachers make up a perfect team to meet the needs of our students.  Parents are always welcome to visit their child’s/children’s classroom after first making an appointment with the teacher and checking in at the office.  It is important that parents visit the classrooms to discuss student’s success, setbacks and necessary interventions.  

OPEN HOUSE
Back-to-School Night and Open House are held annually to provide parents the opportunity to visit the classrooms.  During the visit the parents will familiarize themselves with classroom expectations and the quality of student’s work.

REPORT CARDS
At the beginning of each semester the teacher will explain class-grading procedures.  You will receive a report card three times during the year.  The teacher keeps a record of all your grades and your parent may see the grades at any time.

PROGRESS REPORTS
You will receive a Progress Report at the end of every six weeks of each quarter.  Progress Reposts will only be given out to students who fall below “C” level work.  If you are not doing at least “C” level work, your teacher will record grades of “D”, “F”, or “N” or “U” in achievement, effort and/or conduct.

HOMEWORK
Homework is a big part of life at the elementary school and it is important to develop good study habits.  The teacher will assign homework daily.  Here are some suggestions that will help you be successful.

• Set a daily study period and stick to it.
• Do your homework before you become tired at night.
• Do your homework in a quiet place away from the family distractions.
• Use a study table, good lighting and a firm chair.
• Gather all necessary materials before you sit down to work.
  

TEXTBOOKS
Every student at Centinela School is equipped with all the necessary textbooks that will help him/her be a successful learner.  Parents and students are asked to take care of the books and must report any lost book to the office or teacher.  Parents are also expected to replace lost textbooks at the quoted price of the book. 

THE LIBRARY

“Reading Maketh a Man” (Unknown)
Our school library is equipped with an array of books, and educational resources to assist students in becoming excellent readers. Students are expected to utilize all the resources provided for them, but must return all borrowed materials on the due dates.  Books must also be in excellent condition upon return.  Student/parent are responsible for lost books and are expected to replace lost or damaged library books at the quote price of the book. 

NURSE’S VISITATION
Students who are ill and wish to see the nurse must obtain a hall pass from their teacher to go to the nurse’s office.  Medications, such as aspirin, are not given to students.  Students taking medication during school hours must have a note from their doctor.  All medications must be kept in the nurse’s office.

EMERGENCY PLAN
Emergencies are inevitable.  Therefore, the staff and students of Centinela Elementary School have conducted regular drills to deal with any unforeseen circumstances.  Parents are asked to follow the directions given by persons in charge to reduce any further confusion on the campus.  Parents should assist in the safety of all students and refrain from interrupting instructions given during an emergency.

FIRE DRILL/EARTHQUAKE DRILL

School and classroom drills are held frequently to ensure appropriate behaviors in the event of an emergency.  During the drill, classes are given assigned areas away from structures or danger zones.

 

MULTICULTURAL FESTIVITIES

Diversity among our staff and students is greatly appreciated and celebrated at Centinela.  Traditionally two cultural festivities are held.  Black History Month is celebrated in February, and in May, we celebrate Fiesta Latina.  Parents are encouraged to become actively involved in the festivities.

SCHOOL HOURS /BELL SCHEDULE

 

Centinela School hours are as follows: