SCHOOL HOURS

Regular School Week Schedule (TK and Kindergarten)

Monday 8:25 a.m.-2:25 p.m.

Tuesday 8:25 a.m.-2:25 p.m.

Wednesday 8:25 a.m.-1:35 p.m.

Thursday 8:25 a.m.-2:25 p.m.

Friday 8:25 a.m.-2:25 p.m.

Minimum Days (TK and Kindergarten)

8:25 a.m.-12:17 p.m.

Collaboration Days (TK and Kindergarten)

8:25-11:30 a.m.

Regular School Week Schedule (Grs. 1-5)

Monday 8:25 a.m.-2:35 p.m.

Tuesday 8:25 a.m.-2:35 p.m.

Wednesday 8:25 a.m.-1:45 p.m.

Thursday 8:25 a.m.-2:35 p.m.

Friday 8:25 a.m.-2:35 p.m.

Minimum Days (Grs. 1-5)

8:25 a.m.-12:27 p.m.

Collaboration Days (Grs 1-5)

8:25-11:40 a.m.

Check the school site calendar for events, minimum days, and Collaboration days. 

SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL

To enhance our school safety plan and provide a safe and secure student environment, we will only use the Camino Grove Avenue (front of the school) entrance for dropping off and picking up students. The Sixth Avenue gate is locked at all times. Please adhere to the following arrival and pick-up times:

Arrival Times

7:50-8:22 a.m.

Pick-Up Times

2:30-2:50 p.m.     (Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays)

1:35-2:00 p.m.    (Wednesdays)

12:17-12:45 p.m. (Minimum Days)

11:30-11:55 a.m. (Collaboration Days)

The following information is provided to assist you in developing a home-to-school route for your child. The City of Arcadia provides crossing guards located at the following intersections:

• Sixth Avenue and Camino Grove
• Encino and Camino Grove

Students who live south of Camino Real should cross Camino Real at Sixth Avenue and proceed north to Camino Grove Avenue and the school entrance.

Students who live north of Duarte Road should cross Duarte Road at Santa Anita Avenue using the crosswalk at the signals located at First Avenue, Second Avenue, or Fifth Avenue. Students should proceed on Duarte Road to Sixth Avenue and then south to Camino Grove Avenue, where the crossing guard will assist them in crossing the street to the school.

TRAFFIC FLOW

ARRIVAL 

Your child should not arrive on campus before 7:50 a.m., as there is no adult supervision. Upon arrival, grades 1-5 students are to proceed to the blue tables in the covered lunch area, where supervision is provided until they are dismissed at 8:22 a.m. to go to their classrooms.  TK & Kindergarten students are to proceed to the planters in the courtyard, where supervision is provided until their teacher picks them up to take them to the classroom.  SELPA students should arrive at the main gate, east of the front office.  Classroom teachers and instructional assistants will await your student’s arrival.

• • • Highly recommended to take a right-hand turn from 6th Ave. and Camino Grove Ave. to enter the parking lot during arrival and dismissal. Left-hand turns into the parking lot are not permitted.
    • Slowly drive your car as far forward as possible before unloading students in front of the kindergarten and school office.
    • NEVER park in the no parking zones.

Also access the Carline Guidelines here!

• Slowly drive your car as far forward as possible before loading students.
• There is no waiting or parking in loading areas (these also serve as fire lane
  • If your child is not waiting in the loading areas as you pull up, you may not wait. Please proceed to an empty parking space, walk to the loading area, and accompany your child to the car using the appropriate crosswalks. This will help the loading process and ease the congestion on Camino Grove Avenue.    
  • Parents walking can meet their child at the blue tables in the lunch pavilion by entering through the gate on the west side of the MPR. When leaving the school, please walk along the sidewalks or cross at the appropriate crosswalk in the parking lot. For the safety of everyone, do not cross between vehicles. 
  • Students must be picked up immediately after school, no later than 2:50 p.m., 2:00 p.m. on early release days, 11:55 on Collaboration Days, or 12:45 p.m. on minimum days.  We are concerned with the safety of all children. Supervision is not provided after the above-listed times.    

PARKING LOT PROCEDURE

Drive-Thru Drop Off

• Drive through the entrance on the West driveway. Exit at the East driveway. Center driveways are closed.

• Please refer to the traffic flow map for drop-off/pick-up and parking directions.

Park and Walk

• If you plan to park and walk your student to the front of the school, it is recommended you can park on the street, as the parking lot during dismissal time is busy.
• After parking, walk your student past the center driveways to the inside crosswalk. For the safety of your children, do not walk through the parking lot.
• Students walking to school from Fifth or Sixth Avenue may use the sidewalk by the West driveway. Walkers from Eighth Avenue may use the sidewalk by the East driveway. Sixth Avenue is not a school entrance and for everyone’s safety, gates on Sixth Avenue are locked.

SCHOOL-WIDE EXPECTATIONS

School-wide expectations are reviewed throughout the school year by the classroom teacher. Please take the time at home to review how we can all be safe, responsible, and respectful on campus and on the playground. 

Click here to view the expectations:

• English,  
• Espanol   
• 中國人

ABSENCES

In California, parents are legally responsible for ensuring that children ages 6 to 18 attend school every day. Certain types of absences are excused under the California Education Code (Sections 46010 and 46014). These include:

• Personal illness
• Quarantine directed by a city or county health officer
• Medical, dental, optometric, or chiropractic appointments
  Religious instruction or exercises (limited to four school days per month, and the student must attend school for at least part of the day)
• Attendance at a funeral for an immediate family member
• 1 day if the service is in California
• Up to 3 days if the service is out of state
• Court appearances
• Religious holidays or ceremonies
• Attendance at a religious retreat (limited to 4 hours per semester)
  
  

Note: "Immediate family" includes a parent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, child, in-laws, or a relative living in the student's household.

TRUANCY

A student is considered truant if they are:

• Absent from school without a valid excuse for three or more days in one school year, or
  
  
• Tardy three or more times without a valid excuse in one school year

We are required to notify families when a student reaches truancy thresholds.

NOTIFICATION OF ABSENCE

If your child is absent from school, you will receive an automated email from  [email protected] on the evening of your child’s absence. The email will request that you complete a brief Google form to provide the reason for your child’s absence. If your child is enrolled in the Absence Recovery Program (ARP), the email will also provide instructions to complete the ARP process. In California, parents are required to ensure that their children (ages 6-18) attend school every day.   Even excused absences count against you and your child, as well as against the district. This means every absence, regardless of whether there is a valid reason, counts toward chronic absenteeism. Under the 2024 legislation, Senate Bill 153 (SB153), we can allow your child to make up absences in one of two ways listed below:

ABSENCE RECOVERY Program (Unplanned Absences)

The Absence Recovery Program is available when students are unexpectedly not able to attend school. The student will have 5 days from the date of return to complete and submit the assigned work after their absence.  If a student exceeds 15 days of absence recovery and/or Independent Study days, cumulatively, future absences will not be recoverable. 

INDEPENDENT STUDY (Prearranged)

Independent Study is available to all students who prearrange to be out of school for three or more days. Independent Study allows the child to maintain their learning routine while away from the usual school classroom. Parents should speak to Ms. Cabrera in the school office at least one week prior to arrange and receive approval for this program. You may email Ms. Cabrera at [email protected] or call her at (626) 821-8353.

BENEFITS FOR STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS:

1. Student Continuity: This can help students stay on top of their assignments.
2. Prevent Chronic Absenteeism: This program is part of a larger effort to prevent chronic absenteeism, defined as missing 10% or more of the school year. 
3. School Funding: The school recovers lost Average Daily Attendance (ADA) funding from student absences, which helps the district maintain essential funding for supporting school programs, services and avoid making cuts to staffing or programs.

Please be aware that Independent Studies are not intended to extend school holidays and should only be used to support unavoidable circumstances. If a student exceeds 15 days of absence recovery and/or Independent Study days, cumulatively, future absences will not be recoverable. 

Lastly, and most importantly, while this provides you and the district with an opportunity to meet the legal obligations of compulsory attendance, it does not make up for a missed day of learning in the classroom.   When a child misses school, they lose valuable and essential social and learning opportunities. Overuse of the Absence Recovery Program or the Independent Study process will negatively impact your child’s learning experience at Camino Grove Elementary School. Therefore, you may be asked to meet with your child’s teacher or the school’s Student Attendance Review Team (SART) to help ensure your child is making progress in school.

WHEN PARENT/GUARDIAN IS OUT OF TOWN

If you are going out of town and leaving your child in the care of another adult, please visit the Parents section of Camino Grove’s Website, select “Forms and Information” link and print and complete the “Temporary Custodial Responsibility” form.

ARCADIA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

RULES REGULATING SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

Each absence will require a note from the pupil’s guardian.  If the absence is due to illness, please specify the nature of the such illness.  If the illness is of a suspicious nature, feel free to call the school Health Services Assistant.

The above contagious diseases require readmission by the school office personnel.  Children who have been ill should be instructed to bring their notes from parents directly to the school office to be readmitted before going to the playground or classroom.

WHEN IS A CHILD SICK ENOUGH TO STAY HOME???

A few simple rules can help you make that call.

It’s 7:00 a.m. you’re trying to get everybody dressed, fed, and out the door.  Suddenly you hear a small voice that stops you in your tracks:, “I’m sick…I can’t go to school.”  With the clock ticking you try to diagnose the problem:  Fever?  Aches and pains?  Cough?  Upset tummy?  Now you have to decide if your child really needs to stay home from school.

Unless the symptoms of an illness are obvious, such as a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, the decision ends up being a parent’s judgment call.  The parent must know his or her child and how the child acts when sick.  If you child physically doesn’t look well or they’re not their normal spirited self, it may be a good idea to keep them home for a day and let them rest.  

If you still can’t decide, here are a few simple guidelines:

• Children with temperatures higher than 100 degrees should stay home from school.  They should not return to school until they have had an unmedicated normal temperature for 24 hours.
• Children prescribed antibiotics for contagious diseases such as strep throat, tonsillitis, bronchitis, or pneumonia should not return to school until they have taken the medication for 24 hours.
• Children who are vomiting or have diarrhea should stay home.  The 24-hour rule is a good guideline here, also.
• Parents should make sure “sick days” are not appealing.  Staying home sick should mean staying in bed—either sleeping, reading, or playing quietly in bed.  Children rewarded with TV, videos, or special treats could quickly learn to prefer home to school.  We want children to want to come to school.

Helpful hints for keeping our kids well:

• Washing hands is the single most important thing they can do.  A child who hasn’t washed their hands can pass germs along on a pencil or through a group activity.
• Parents and teachers should instruct children to turn their heads and cough into the crook of their elbows.  This method reduces the transfer of viruses and bacteria through our hands.  Do not cough into your hands.  If the child should cough into their hands, please remind them to wash their hands.
• Your child must eat three meals a day,…this includes breakfast.  Many students have come to school with a headache and/or stomach ache, most due to a lack of food.  Breakfast is the most important meal of the day; please be sure your child is not skipping it.

One more reminder:

• Please keep the phone numbers on your child’s emergency card updated.  In the event of an emergency, it is important that we have a current phone number to reach a local parent, relative, or friend.  Fax numbers are not acceptable.

MEDICATION AT SCHOOL

Any medication taken by students during the school day must be kept in the health office in their original containers and administered only by authorized office personnel.  Medication must be brought to the office with a signed Physician’s Recommendation for Medication form (available in the office), which states the name of the medication, the amount to be given, and the time it is to be administered.  The medication remains in the office, and the child must come to the office at the designated time(s) for administration.  This includes all prescriptions, inhalers, aspirin, cough syrup, and over-the-counter medications, both oral and topical, etc.  Please do not send any medications to school with your child to take on his/her own.  This includes:

• Tums or any antacid 
• Asprin

These must all be kept in the office for all our students' safety.

ASSESSMENTS

Students are assessed throughout the school year to determine their growth toward grade-level standards and personal growth, and to identify the next steps needed to achieve continued progress. In grades 3 through 5, students complete the state assessment in English Language Arts and Mathematics. Additionally, fifth-grade students complete the physical fitness test and science test. Kindergarten through fifth-grade students requiring English development as a second language will also be assessed annually in the English Language Proficiency Assessment for California (ELPAC) to review their growth and determine possible evaluation for reclassification as proficient in the English language.

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES & STRONG SCHOOL AND HOME CONNECTIONS

A strong partnership between school and home is essential in supporting a child’s academic, social, emotional, and behavioral development. Open communication, trust, and collaboration between families and school staff help create the best learning environment for students.

When concerns or challenges arise, problem-solving should begin with those closest to the situation, typically the student and the classroom teacher. Teachers are often best positioned to provide context, clarify misunderstandings, and work collaboratively toward solutions. Families are expected to communicate directly with their child’s teacher regarding any concerns. Contact with the teacher will allow concerns to be addressed in a timely and supportive manner.

If additional support is needed, parents may request a conference with the teacher at any time during the school year by contacting the school office or by emailing, calling, or writing to the teacher. School staff and families work together in partnership to support student growth, reflection, accountability, and success.

To leave an email for your child’s teacher, check the school website to verify the email address, School Info/Contact Us. Click here.

STUDENT-LED CONFERENCE

Student-led conferences allow students to demonstrate their academic ability, set goals, and celebrate their achievements and growth. They are led by the student using self-assessment techniques, a portfolio of their work, and student performance.

REPORT CARD

Three times a year, a report card is updated to reflect your child's growth and the areas of development needed. Click here to learn how to access your child’s report card.

SCHOOL/HOME COMMUNICATION

Various communications are created so the school and community can collaborate and work together. Classroom newsletters, Principal’s Newsletter, Konstella and PTA Caminotes provide talking points and events for parents and student involvement. It is highly recommended to check your email frequently for such communications.

ELEMENTARY COUNSELING

The elementary counselor actively assists teachers, parents, administrators, and other staff members in helping students have the best school year possible. The elementary counseling program addresses both preventive lessons and crisis intervention.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT (ELD)

The ELD program is designed to provide additional support for students who are learning the English language as multilingual learners.

SPEECH AND LANGUAGE

The Speech and Language Specialist assists students in K-5 who have been identified with special needs in this area. Support is also provided to parents and teachers on ways to help the student in the classroom and at home.

READING INTERVENTION

The Reading Intervention program provides additional support to core literacy instruction, targeting the development and growth of specific reading skills.

SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST

The school psychologist supports families and teachers to create the best possible learning conditions for the whole child; socially, emotionally, behaviorally, and academically. 

PTA

Every adult is encouraged to join the PTA (Parent Teacher Association). PTA membership information will be available at Roadrunner Day. There are numerous opportunities for parents to become involved in their child's school and education. (Examples: Book Fair, Carnival, Room Parents, Red Ribbon Week, etc.) PTA meetings are held monthly in the multi-purpose room or online in a virtual setting. Click here for more information.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS

• Field Trips are a fun experience for our students to learn not only about real-world experiences but also about being safe, responsible, and respectful while away from home and school. Parent volunteers are selected by the classroom teacher to support the learning experience. Please be mindful that not all parents can attend. Parents will notify the teacher they are interested in supporting the field trip. Teachers then randomly select parent volunteers.
• When volunteering on campus, all student information is confidential. Discussions between students outside the classroom or school setting, such as with other parents, can cause miscommunication and confusion regarding the school’s processes. Confidentiality includes using names, pictures, & specific details of students. If a parent has questions about a student, please direct them to the student’s teacher. 

SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL

The council administers School Site Plans that address our students' educational needs and goals. The members of SSC are elected to a two-year term and meet monthly to ensure that the school’s objectives and program needs are met.  If you would like more information on how to serve on SSC, please contact the school office.

At Camino Grove, we believe behavior is an opportunity for learning, reflection, growth, and relationship-building. Our approach to student support is rooted in restorative practices and progressive discipline, helping students develop the skills needed to be responsible, respectful, and balanced community members.

Progressive Discipline

Progressive discipline is a proactive approach used to support, teach, monitor, and strengthen positive student behavior. The purpose is not simply to assign consequences, but to help students gain access to corrective measures and to understand accountability, responsibility, reflection, and the impact of their choices on others.

We recognize that every student and situation is unique. Students may require different levels of support, guidance, reteaching, and intervention depending on their individual needs and circumstances. Addressing challenging behavior is an incremental process that focuses on helping students learn replacement behaviors and restore positive relationships within the school community.

Many behaviors are first addressed by the classroom teacher through:

• Reteaching expectations
• Reflection opportunities
• Problem-solving conversations
• Restorative practices
• Coaching and redirection
• Reinforcement of expected behaviors

Problem-Solving Through Restorative Conversations

Restorative conversations involve students directly in the problem-solving process. This approach supports our commitment to cultivating confident leaders and learners who understand how their actions affect others and how to contribute positively to the community.

Through restorative conversations, students are supported in:

• Reflecting on their choices and actions
• Understanding the impact of their behavior on others
• Listening to multiple perspectives
• Identifying ways to repair harm
• Developing solutions and next steps
• Rebuilding trust and relationships
• Taking accountability for “being better” moving forward

Behavior growth is most effective when supported through a collaborative partnership between the teacher, student, and family. Communication, consistency, and reflection are important parts of the process.

Continued Support & Interventions

If behaviors continue or require additional support, interventions may include:

• Loss of privileges
• Structured reflection opportunities
• Increased check-ins and monitoring
• Counseling or behavioral support
• Parent conferences
• Individual behavior support plans

When additional interventions are needed, the principal, teacher(s), student, and family may collaboratively develop a support plan that includes:

• A specific behavioral or social-emotional goal
• Action steps and strategies
• Progress monitoring processes
• Ongoing communication and support

Reflection, Review, & Confidentiality

When situations arise, school staff take time to understand what occurred by listening to students, gathering perspectives, and reviewing the situation thoughtfully and fairly. Our goal is to support student growth, maintain safety, and help students learn how to navigate challenges responsibly and respectfully.

Because every situation and student is unique, responses and supports may differ based on individual needs, developmental levels, and circumstances.

To maintain student privacy and confidentiality, information regarding other students involved in a situation will remain confidential between the student, their family, school staff, administration, and appropriate support personnel.

District policy elaborating more on behavior, click here. 

Home-School Partnership

A strong partnership between school and home helps students grow socially, emotionally, and academically. Families support Roadrunner Ready behaviors by:

• Reinforcing respectful communication and problem-solving. We solve problems by including those closest to the situation. Communication between teachers and parents is critical. 
• Encouraging responsibility and independence
• Supporting healthy technology and eating habits
• Maintaining consistent attendance and routines
• Partnering with school staff when challenges arise

Together, we help students become confident leaders and learners through creativity, kindness, responsibility, and balance.

At all AUSD Elementary Schools, we prioritize focused learning, student safety, social development, and in-person interaction. We also value healthy technology habits and strong family communication. For these reasons, students are strongly discouraged from bringing cell phones, smartwatches, or other personal devices to school. The school and Arcadia Unified School District are not responsible for any lost, stolen, damaged, or missing personal electronic devices brought to school.

Device Requirements:

• Cell phones, smart watches, and other personal devices may not be used during school hours.
• Personal device use anywhere on campus is prohibited during school hours.

Parent Communication:

To support a focused school environment and healthy family habits, parents should not contact their child directly via cell phone, smartwatch, or messaging during the school day. All communication between parents and students during school hours must go through the school office or classroom staff. For emergencies or urgent messages, parents should contact the main office.

Important Reminders:

• Using any device to photograph, video record, or audio record others without permission is prohibited by law.
• Students are expected to follow this policy responsibly as part of developing healthy boundaries with technology at school and at home.

Consequences:

Violation of this policy will result in confiscation and must be picked up by a parent or guardian. Repeated violations may result in a parent conference and disciplinary action.

Liability:

The school and Arcadia Unified School District are not responsible for any lost, stolen, damaged, or missing personal electronic devices brought to school.

AFTER SCHOOL RECREATION

The Arcadia Recreation Department offers after-school activities from 2:35 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. Mon., Tues., Thurs. and Fri. and 1:45 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Wed. with the exception of some rainy days and minimum days. Students who participate in the recreation program must follow standards of behavior that are required during regular school hours. This program usually starts in late August and continues until early June. To participate, students must be registered through the Arcadia Recreation Department.  For more information, please call:  (626) 574-5113.

ARCADIA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION (AEF)

AEF comprises Arcadia parents and community members who want to ensure that Arcadia schools continue to provide the excellent quality of education for the 21st century that has characterized Arcadia student performance in the past.  Not only does this benefit our students, but also maintains the hallmark educational program that has contributed to community pride and helps sustain the value of our neighborhoods.  Camino Grove's parents represent our school in this organization.  We are always looking for community members willing to serve in this capacity.  If you would like more information, please visit our school office.

All tax-deductible proceeds directly benefit Arcadia’s students. Most of the money raised by AEF has been used to purchase educational technology such as computers, DVD players and chrome book carts. One way to support the foundation is through the purchase of SCRIP. (See section on page 21.) (If you would like to know more about this organization, contact: Arcadia Educational Foundation, P.O. Box 660174, Arcadia, CA 91066-0174.)

RIGHT AT SCHOOL

In addition to providing supervision before and after school, the goal of Right at School is to present pleasant and enriching experiences, which complement regular classroom activities and enhance each participant's cognitive and social development.

For daycare registration information, please visit www.rightatschool.com

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS POLICY AND CHECKOUT PROCEDURE

Our Emergency Preparedness Plan has been developed to ensure the safety, care, and feeding of your child(ren) in the event of a disaster that leaves you unable to get to school for several days.

IN THE EVENT OF AN EARTHQUAKE OR OTHER DISASTER, PLEASE DO THE FOLLOWING:

• The student pick-up area is on the playground. The parent, or someone listed on the Emergency Card, should come to the Sixth Avenue playground gate.
• Look for the sign indicating “STUDENT REQUEST”. Complete the STUDENT EMERGENCY RELEASE FORM and give it to the staff member.
• Your request form will be taken and verified with the student’s emergency card, and your child(ren) will be located at their classroom assembly area.
• Then proceed to the “STUDENT RELEASE” area, where you will be reunited with your child(ren). You will be asked to sign your child(ren) out.

PLEASE REMEMBER . . . The safety and security of everyone is our goal.

1. Sixth Avenue is our emergency vehicle access. Please do not double park, block driveways, park in a red zone, or in front of fire hydrants. Also, be sure not to inhibit traffic flow on Sixth Avenue.
2. Please, do not search the campus for your child(ren). We have designated search & rescue teams that will complete this task in the most efficient, predetermined manner.
3. Please, do not remove your child(ren) without signing them out at the “student release” gate. This is extremely important as we might send a search team to find your “missing” child(ren), when your child may be safe at home with you. This can unnecessarily endanger the lives of our search team and waste valuable time.
4. When you get to school, please be prepared to wait. We must document who takes your child(ren) and where they plan to go.

If you have concerns regarding campus safety, please visit our website, cg.ausd.net .  Go to Parents, Click on the “Forms and Downloads” link, and print and complete the “To Report Safety Concerns” form. If you want to view the School Site Safety Plan, a hard copy is available in the front office.