About SB Charter - Parent Handbook

If you are on yard duty, please actively supervise. If you can't for some reason, let one of the teachers know. Supervising adults may suggest, teach, or supervise a game or activity. Children are expected to listen to both teachers and parents. If there is a problem with a child not attending to what a parent says, let a teacher, a teacher's aide, or a substitute teacher know. Supervising adults are encouraged to interact with the children, strengthen relationships with them, and have fun. Following these guidelines will help keep our children safe. Thanks.

1. Adults will station themselves at key locations. Supervision stations are as follows:
A. Near the picnic tables by the shade structure
B. The basketball court area
C. The swing, sand, and garden area
D. Along side the sports field
E. On top of the hill near Cathedral Oaks
F. At the microwave oven cabinet adjacent to the sand box and gazebo garden, including the bathrooms

2. At lunch time, children must remain at the picnic table area until a signal is given (“triangle bell”), excluding Fridays. The trianle bell is rung at 12:20 for K-3rd grade students and at 12:30 for 4th and 5th grader students. This encourages the children to take time to eat and enables supervising adults to grab a bite to eat if needed. Children may need to be reminded to clean up their eating space (we do compost and recycle) and put their food containers away. It is helpful if an adult stands next to the garbage can to discourage children from excessively throwing away food. Children must eat at a picnic table and may not walk around while eating. Microwave oven use is available at lunch times only when an adult is supervising.

3. Children must stay within the yard boundaries, which are marked with yellow lines in some places. They must remain where adults can see them. The following sequence of events will occur if a child goes outside of the boundaries. A reminder will be given the first time. The second time, the child will be given a warning of the consequences. The third time, he or she will be expected to sit down for 5 minutes to think about the rule. In some cases the sequence will vary according to age, prior actions, or distance outside the boundaries.

4. Chasing games are allowed only on the playing field or the basketball court, not around the picnic tables or in the Discovery Garden. Children may need to be reminded to run only where it is safe.

5. Actively stop play that involves sticks or ropes tied around bodies. Children should be stopped from grabbing and tackling each other. Wrestling and pulling on clothes is not allowed.

6. Children may play games (i.e. tag) if participants have agreed to play and have agreed upon the rules. Children are not allowed to play rough games during which they pull each other down (i.e. wrestling). This often leads to someone getting hurt.

7. Children need to stay outside during snack and lunch unless it is raining or given special permission.

8. Outdoor play equipment: ALL EQUIPMENT MUST BE PUT AWAY IMMEDIATELY AFTER USE to avoid loss or damage. Please emphasize this responsibility with the children.
A. Jump ropes may only be used for jump roping and must be put away when finished being used.
B. PE Equipment in storage areas may be taken out by an adult only and must by well supervised by the adult who takes responsibility for it, which includes putting it away.
C. Balls belong in the ball container when not in use and may not be played with on the hillside.
D. Sand toys must be used only in the sand areas and should be put away in the large bin when not being used. Encourage their use in the small sand box as the large sand area has other purposes. Holes may not be dug in the sand area with playground equipment.
E. Tires may not be rolled down the hillside.

9. Children may not play in the bathrooms or run around the area. Only one child is allowed in the bathroom at a time. Restrooms need attention continually! Please, monitor them by checking on toilet paper and paper towel supply, wiping the toilet seats when needed, and picking up towels off the floor. If all adults routinely check the restrooms throughout the day, the conditions will be improved. Restrooms get cleaned thoroughly on a daily basis.

10. Supervising adults act as facilitators when conflicts arise between children. Students will solve problems according to the conflict resolution guidelines established at Santa Barbara Charter School. Typically this involves having children talk about the problem and come up with a mutually agreeable solution. If parents feel unable to facilitate conflict resolution, they may ask another adult to step in.

11. Climbing may be done on climbing structures only. Children are not allowed to hang on the blue pole pads, nor climb the side poles of the soccer goals, the basketball hoop poles, and the poles that hold any of the tarps. Children may not climb on the front of the play castle. They are allowed to climb on the sides and the back. Children may not climb trees.

12. Lost and found items may be gathered at the end of the day and put in the lost and found.