FAQs

What time does school start?

School starts at 8:00 a.m for grades 6-8 and 8:30 a.m. for early-bird TK/Kindergarten and 1st-5th grade students.  Late-bird TK/Kindergarten starts at 10:15.  Gates open up at 7:45 for middle school students and 8:05 a.m. for elementary students.  Elementary students may not be on campus unsupervised before 8:05 a.m.  Elementary students not attending breakfast who arrive at 8:05 go to the kindergarten playground and stand on the blacktop in lines.  There is no supervision between 8:05 and 8:15 on the kindergarten playground.  Morning recess begins at 8:15 and this is the time students should arrive if they do not have breakfast.  Please follow the campus arrival map when dropping students off.  To ensure a smooth and efficient drop-off, all cars (including TK/Kindergarten parents) must pull all the way to the car in front of you with the first car in line stopping by the front office crosswalk before letting your student out during morning arrival.

When is dismissal?

Please refer to the complete bell schedule for dismissal times.

When are early release days?

Each Wednesday is an early release day (formerly called minimum day).  Please refer to the complete bell schedule for early release dismissal times.

What do I do when my child is out sick?

You may follow the Report Absence link on our home page which will allow you to report the absence electronically to our front office staff.  Alternatively, you may call the absence hot line number @ 949-7740 ext. 257.  If your child will be absent, you may call in and request homework before lunch (11:15 Middle School, 11:45 Primary, and 12:15 Upper) from the teacher.  Otherwise, your child will be expected to pick up the missed assignments upon his/her return.  Independent Study Contracts may be signed if you know your child will be missing 5 days, or more, and will not be counted as an absence.

What if we're going out of town?

If your child will be missing 5 or more days for any reason, please go to the office at least a week prior to leaving and sign an Independent Study Contract.  You will need to meet with your child's teacher who will write up a study plan to be completed during your child's absence.  Please allow a reasonable amount of time for this.  The finished contract with all the assigned work must be turned in upon your student's return to school or the absence will be unexcused.

What if my child arrives tardy to school due to a doctor's appointment?

All tardy students must check in at the office.  All tardies are recorded and will be excused only with a doctor's note.

May I send treats for my child's class on his/her birthday?

Sorry, school policy does not allow treats, flowers, balloons, etc. to be delivered to your child's classroom.  Your child will receive a small token at school in their birthday month.  If pre-arranged with your child's teacher, you may bring in a small goody bag of non-food items such as pencils, erasers, etc to send home with each student.  This is for all grade levels and part of the district wellness policy.

What is the cost of breakfast & lunch?

For a complete breakdown of breakfast and lunch fees, please visit our meal programs page.

What is the lunch schedule?

On non-rainy or excessive heat days, the schedule is as follows:

• Grades 6-8: 11:45-12:15
• Grade 1 & Day Care: 12:00-12:43
• Grades 2-3: 12:15-12:43
• Grades 4-5: 12:30-1:13

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Will my child receive the same curriculum as the other students at his/her grade level?

Yes!  Your child will receive the curriculum for their grade level.  All students are taught the standards for their grade level.

How are students chosen?

It is actually a compliment to have your child chosen for a combination class.  We look for students who are independent workers, have leadership qualities, follow directions, manage their time well, take responsibility, and are generally average to strong students.

Will my child miss out on any grade level activities?

Absolutely not!  Your child will participate in all grade level activities and possibly more! 

How do combination classes operate?

Typically students are taught in grade level groups.  Many teachers rotate teaching.  They teach one group while the other group does independent work.

At Foothill Knolls, our teammates are always supportive and help out in many ways, such as taking  classes for PE, library, etc. to give teachers an opportunity to work with one grade level at a time.

When my child is placed in a combination classroom, how should I talk to them about it? How should I address their questions about how this will be different than a single-grade classroom?

Talk to them just as you would when preparing to enter any new classroom.  All children benefit from a positive attitude and encouraging words during any transition.  There are not immediate/apparent “differences” between a single-grade classroom and a combination classroom that children should be prepared for.  Both provide a rich and caring environment, and a teacher who is committed to ensuring each child has a great year.  Students will be expected to learn, work, listen, and participate in a variety of activities alongside their classmates.  Just like in any other classroom setting, there will be times when the teacher is addressing the whole class, times they will work in small groups, times they will work quietly, and times they will work one-one-one with the teacher.

Research says...

• Children are happy in combo classes and have fewer conflicts than their peers in single grade classes.
• Some research says combination classes are neither worse nor better and other research says students in combo classes do better.
• In a combination classroom, community is the emphasis.  The closer the community atmosphere, the more secure the children feel.