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Polices & Notices

This section provides families, students, and staff with access to important policies, procedures, and official notices that guide school operations and support a safe, respectful, and inclusive learning environment. We encourage all families to review these materials to stay informed and engaged in our school community.

Annual Parent & Student Rights Notification and Standards of Behavior Handbook

This annual handbook outlines important rights, responsibilities, and expectations for students and families. It includes required legal notifications, district policies, and behavior standards that apply to all students. Topics covered include attendance, discipline, non-discrimination policies, privacy rights, health and safety regulations, and procedures for resolving concerns. Families are encouraged to review the handbook each year to stay informed and ensure a safe, respectful, and supportive learning environment for all.

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Dress Code/ Uniform Policy

Download Dress Code/ Uniform Policy and Signature Form

Pants

  • Pants must be one solid color (navy blue, khaki or black)- Jeans are acceptable. 
  • Pants must fit at the waist without the aid of a belt. 
  • Uniform, dress style or jean shorts are acceptable (navy blue, khaki or black). The hem of the shorts must be at least fingertip length when the hands are fully extended at the sides. 
  • (Girls)- NO EXCESSIVE RIPPED JEANS/SHORTS ALLOWED.

Skirts

  • Skirts must be one solid color (navy blue, khaki or black).
  • The hem and any slit must be at least fingertip length when a student’s hands are fully extended at the side.

Shirts and Blouses

  • Shirts and blouses must be solid white, navy or light blue. They may be a button down or polo style. Any John Bidwell shirt is acceptable. Shirts must be well fitted to below waist.
  • No logos or name brands are allowed on uniform shirts.

Outerwear

  • Coats, jackets, and all outerwear are to be navy blue, black, gray or white. One solid color is recommended.
  • Please avoid logos or brand name brands on coats, jackets or other outerwear.

Shoes

  • Shoes should be well fitted, supportive, comfortable, and appropriate for play. 
  • Shoes are to be closed toed/heel- no sandals or flip flops and must have original laces. 
  • Please avoid shoes that are primarily red and have red shoe laces. 
  • No crocs. 
  • No Roller Shoes

Head Coverings

  • No rags or bandanas are permitted
  • Wool caps (during winter months) and baseball caps (during the warmer months) need to be solid navy, black or white without logos or brand names.
  • Wool caps and baseball caps can be worn on the yard only and may not be worn in the classroom or the cafeteria.
  • Other: No excessive jewelry: large earrings/bracelets/make-up/acrylic or press-on nails. 

John Bidwell Elementary has a “No Red” policy; please ensure that even minimal amounts of red are not on clothing, shoes or accessories.

Download Dress Code/ Uniform Policy and Signature Form

Cell Phone Policy

We understand the need for students to have access to their phones before and after school. Therefore, students shall be permitted to use cell phones before and after school hours only. During the instructional day, all cell phones are to be turned off and put away during the school day, this includes recess and other outside activities. 

For privacy matters, cell phones are not allowed in the restrooms at any time during the school day. Please advise your child to use the phone in the office in any case of emergency, such as injury or illness. We ask that you call the front office if you need to speak with your child and refrain from calling or texting them during the school day.  This is key to keeping your child focused on vital academic instruction.  Other electronics should not be brought to school unless otherwise authorized by the teacher for educational purposes. John Bidwell will not take responsibility or assume any liability or fault for lost,damaged or stolen cell phones.  Investigations will only be done if theft is suspected, however there is no guarantee for recovery.  Bring cell phones at your own risk.  It is encouraged that all cell phones have a tracker for these purposes.  Please understand the importance of cooperating with the school on this matter. 

The following outlines the process that will be taken if your child has a phone out during the school day and is unwilling to turn it off and put it away. 

  • 1st time: Student has cell phone out, staff member prompts student to turn it off and put it away.                                                                                   
  •  2nd time: Staff member asks for the cell phone and turns it into the front office.
    • Parents or adult family members must pick it up and have a conference.      
  • 3rd time: Staff member asks for the cell phone and turns it into the front office.
    •  Consequences will be given for repeated occurrence.
  • 4th time:  Phone cannot be returned to school
    • Consequences that may include impact on access to school-wide events, celebrations or extracurricular activities (i.e. ceremonies, field trips, school events may be revoked.

Thank you for your cooperation and support.

Anti Bullying Policy

John Bidwell is committed to each student’s success in learning within a caring, responsive, and safe environment that is free of discrimination, violence, and bullying. Our school works to ensure that all students have the opportunity and support to develop to their fullest potential and share a personal and meaningful bond with people in the school community. Acts of bullying of students at Bidwell Elementary School is strictly prohibited. The school administration will promptly and fully investigate all acts of bullying. Students have the right to attend a bully-free school, and John Bidwell Elementary School will work diligently and collaboratively with all stakeholders in the community to prevent all types of bullying of Bidwell Students.

  • John Bidwell Student Bill of Rights: Each student at John Bidwell Elementary School has a right to:
  • Learn in a safe and friendly place
  • Be treated with respect
  • Receive the help and support of caring adults
  • Definition of Bullying Bullying is a pattern of aggressive, intentional or deliberately hostile behavior that occurs repeatedly and over time. Bullying behaviors normally fall into three categories, physical, emotional, and verbal; and may include, but are not limited to, intimidation, assault; extortion; oral or written threats; teasing; putdowns; name-calling; threatening looks; gestures, or actions; rumors; false accusations; hazing, social isolation, and cyber-bullying.
  • BULLYING IS:
  • Intent to do harm
  • Repeated over time Imbalance of power
  • SCOPE
  • This policy covers conduct that takes place in the school, on school property, at school-sponsored functions and activities, on school buses or vehicles, and at bus stops. This policy also pertains to usage of electronic technology and electronic communication that occurs in the school, on school property, at school-sponsored functions and activities, on school buses or vehicles, at bus stops, and on school computers, networks, forums, and mailing lists. This policy applies to the entire school community, including educators, school and District staff, students, parents and volunteers. (GLSEN, 2014)
  • PREVENTIVE MEASURES
  • 1. Student Instruction/Awareness Bullying will not be tolerated and all acts of bullying are strictly prohibited Students will do the following to ensure that all acts of bullying never occur at John Bidwell Elementary School:
  • Student Rules about Bullying
  • We will not bully others
  • We will try to help others who are bullied
  • We will include students who are left out
  • If we know someone that is being bullied, we will promptly tell an adult at school and at home
  • 2. Staff Awareness/Action Staff at John Bidwell Elementary School will engage in the following activities and actions in order to prevent bullying and maintain a safe environment for students:
  • Closely supervise children in all areas of the school and playground
  • Monitor for signs of bullying
  • Address bullying when it happens
  • Model appropriate behavior for students
  • Additionally the school will follow all SCUSD regulations and Education Code guidelines in order to prevent bullying. John Bidwell will raise bullying awareness and create opportunities for response training to bullying for staff.
  • 3. Student/Parent Action John Bidwell Elementary School encourages students and parents who become aware of an act of bullying to immediately report the incident(s) to a school administrator for further investigation. Students who retaliate against those who report bullying shall also be subject to investigation and disciplinary action.
  • 4. Reporting Requirements
  • Staff, students, parents and others are required to report bullying
  • The Report of Suspected Bullying Form will be completed to document bullying behavior when bullying is observed or reported by students, parents or others
  • The completed form is immediately given to the designated site administrator
  • The designated site administrator investigates the allegations
  • ANONYMOUS REPORTING
  • The district is utilizing the WeTip Bullying Report Hotline (1-855-86-BULLY)
  • WeTip should be publically posted and all staff, parents, and students should be notified annually
  • WeTip will contact the district’s bullying prevention specialist, who will send it to the site administrator

RESPONSE PROCEDURES

  • Designated site administrator will investigate all reports of bullying and determine if bullying occurred
  • If the report meets the SCUSD’s definition for bullying, the administrator will within three days:
  • Create a written student safety plan for the targeted student
  • Create a written student action plan for the student who engaged in bullying behavior
  • Contact the parents/guardians of the students involved
  • The safety and action plan are placed in the student’s cum and a copy of all the paperwork gets sent to the bullying prevention specialist

INTERVENTIONS/CONSEQUENCES:

Acts of bullying will be investigated by the site administration at John Bidwell Elementary School in an efficient and timely manner. Consequences may include but are not limited to the following:

  • Mediation (this is not considered a best practice as conflict mediation between an aggressor and a target will make the imbalance of power that much greater).
  • Loss of privilege
  • Parent conference
  • Counseling
  • Suspension
  • Expulsion
  • Referral to local law enforcement agency.