Frequently Asked Questions

Schedule & Logistics

When do I drop off my child?

As early as 8am, as late as 9:30am.

What’s the daily schedule?

Community Circle is at 9:30 for about 5 minutes. This is our outside classroom that begins our learning each day. Please join us!
Most classrooms have morning snack around 11:00.
Morning recess is at 11:00am for grades K-1, 11:15am for grades 2-3, 11:30am for grades 4-5.
Lunch is at 12:30pm for K-2 and 1:00pm for 3-5.
The school day ends at 3:30.
The after-school program runs 3:30-6:00.

Where do I drop off my child?

From 8-9:10, drop off is at the before-school program in the cafeteria.
From 9:10 until the end of morning circle (about 9:35) drop-off is on the yard.
(On rainy days, morning circle is in the cafeteria)
After 9:35, your child can go directly to their classroom.
After 10:00, you must stop by the office for a tardy pass.

When do I pickup my child?

3:30pm if not in afterschool program.
between 5:30pm and 6pm if in afterschool program

Where do I pickup my child?

At 3:30pm, you can pick up your child in the school yard
Between 3:30-5:30pm you may park your car legally and come into the school
Between 5:30-6:00pm you can pull your car up to the Collingwood gate and your child will be called to come to your car

What is the bus schedule?

Buses pick up at Harvey Milk at 3:30 when school ends and at 5:00 for children who stay for the after-school program.

How do I sign up for the before school and after school program?

Before school is a drop-in program, so no sign-up is needed. After-school sign-up sheets are available at the opening picnic the Sunday before school starts and on the first day.

How much does the after-school program cost?

The after-school program is available to all who need it and no payment is required. If you can afford it, Friends of Harvey Milk suggests monthly donations in whatever amount is comfortable for your family.

Do I need to sign my child in and out every day?

You don’t need to sign your child in or out of the regular school program.
You do need to sign your child out of after-school, every day.
Children in 4th grade and above may leave on their own at dismissal time, with parent permission, and may also sign their younger siblings out.

How do I pick up my child early?

Go to the main office and sign them out, and your child will be called from their classroom to come to the office to meet you.

What do I do if I’m going to be in the school during the day?

Go to the main office, sign in on the clipboard by the door, and get a visitor pass.

Who do I contact if I have questions that aren’t on this list?

For non-emergency questions, the first contact should be Shawn Maceira, our parent liaison, at pfcharveymilkcom ">pfcharveymilkcom .

School Culture

What happens at the morning Community Circle?

It’s usually 5 minutes of some sort of team exercise (clapping in, saying good morning), some announcements, and sometimes the school pledge. After morning circle, all the kids line up with their teacher and go to class.

What are the 5 B’s?

They’re our guiding principles for expected student behavior:

Be safe.
Be responsible.
Be respectful.
Be a listener.
Be a learner.

Are there any school awards?

Each week on Friday, one child from each classroom is honored with the Community Leader of the Week award. The award is for setting a great example and helping others.

Each week on Wednesday, one classroom is honored with the Golden Trash Can award, for the best job of caring for the campus and the environment.

What is First Pass?

Promoting Achievement in School through Sports. All students have First Pass with Coach Glenn one day a week in addition to their PE classes.

What is inclusion?

Inclusion means our school is for everyone. There are more formal definitions related to children with special needs, but culturally it means we welcome and celebrate all of our differences as people and families.

Are kids allowed to bring cell phones to school?

Cell phones may not be used on the school campus. All students with cell phones must have a written consent on file. If your child has a cell phone, it must be turned off and placed in his or her backpack during school hours. If you need to reach your child during the school day please contact the school directly.

Food & Nutrition

Are there any foods that aren’t allowed at school?

Nuts or seeds with shells, chips, cookies, sweets and candy are not allowed. (Exceptions are made by individual teachers for birthday celebrations and special occasions.)

What’s for breakfast?

Monthly menu. Breakfast is served in the before-school program from 9:10-9:25am and is $1.50/$.75 for reduced/free for those who qualify.

What’s for lunch?

Glad you asked, check out the menu. Lunch is $3 (full price), $1.50 (reduced) or free for those who qualify.

What if my child has food allergies or other special food needs?

Vegetarian meals can be provided for those students that are non meat eater, but must be requested on the lunch form that goes home at the beginning of the year. If a student has food allergies, please note this on the emergency card and let the teachers and staff know and home lunches are recommended.

How can I get free/reduced breakfast and lunch for my child?

You need to fill out the form that is handed out the first week of school, documenting your income & other information. (This form must be filled out each year, even if you qualified last year)

Do I have to fill out the free/reduced lunch form if I know that I don’t qualify?

Yes! All families need to turn in the form, even if it’s just the word “declined” – Ms. Velasco has been known to make it fun by dying her hair funny colors if every form gets turned in. It’s important to turn in the form even if you don’t qualify because it helps the school.

How do I pay for my child’s full-price or reduced lunches?

You may pay online at www.mealpayplus.com or you may pay by check (make check payable to Student Nutrition Services) and turn it into the office or to the cafeteria.

Are snacks provided?

Yes, in the morning. There’s a drive at the beginning of the year for each family to contribute $40, which covers weekly fresh fruit deliveries for the whole year; families also share responsibility within a room for bringing crackers/pretzels/etc.

The after-school program also provides a snack around 3:45.

If my child brings her lunch, can she get help opening the containers, etc.?

Only minimal help is available – please send your child with lunch containers they can handle on their own.

How much time is allowed for lunch?

15 minutes is provided in the cafeteria to eat and longer for those that need extra time and then there is 25 minutes for lunch recess.

Illness/Medical

How do I notify the school if my child is sick?

Call the main number, (415) 241-6276, and speak to Ms. Alisa.

Can the school administer my child’s medication?

Yes. All medication is kept with Ms. Alisa in the office – please provide clear written instructions on timing and dosage, and include a copy of your doctor’s prescription.

Kindergarten

Can I stay in the classroom with my new kindergartener?

Not until after Back-to-School night. After that, all parents are encouraged to volunteer in the classrooms. Please talk to your teacher to schedule times that the teachers need the most help.

Why aren’t kindergarteners and 1st-graders allowed on the monkey bars?

Kids whose hand strength isn’t developed can easily fall from the monkey bars – this is a common cause of broken arms in young elementary students. The monkey bars are restricted to 2nd-grade and above.

Is there naptime in kindergarten?

No. They do not take naps, but they do have down time where the classroom is dark and they put their heads on the desk. If your child is in Mr. Sato’s class they will listen to Jazz during this time.

Bathrooms

Both kindergarten classrooms have easy access to restrooms. However, going to a school-style bathroom alone is new to many kindergarteners. Some kids don’t want to use them at first and may “hold it” all day or else have accidents. It may be useful to send a change of clothes in a plastic bag for the first few days, just in case.

What’s the first day like?

It’s a full day, and both before and after school care are available. You will need to say goodbye to your kindergartener outside the classroom right after morning circle before they march in. (Kindergarten parents are asked not to visit the classroom until after Back-To-School night, in order to help children adjust to their new school life.) Immediately after morning circle on the first day of school, all parents are invited to coffee with Ms. Velasco in the cafeteria, and are welcome to discuss questions and concerns.

What if my child cries or doesn’t want to go in?

Both kindergarten teachers and their aides are very experienced at handling the kindergarten jitters and they will have fun, low-pressure activities planned for the first day. Their advice is to cheerfully but firmly say goodbye and move on.

Getting Ready for the New School Year

How do I know which classroom/teacher my child is assigned to?

Come to the picnic on the day before the first day of school. You will meet a great deal of the school community that day, including your child’s teacher. If you have not met your teacher before this day, you will meet Shawn our amazing Parent Liaison. She is your key to the who’s and what’s about school.

What supplies do I need to get?

All students should have a backpack large enough to fit the 9×12 Wednesday folder.
Kindergarteners will probably not need school supplies of their own as the classrooms are well stocked with the basics. However, they’re welcome to bring their own pencils, etc.

1st-grade and up will get a list of supplies from their classroom teacher.

Please remember to LABEL your child’s backpack, jacket, etc. with their name.

Is there anything I can do BEFORE the first day of school?

Yes!! Our first PFC meeting for the 2010-11 year is the evening of August 10, 2010 at 6pm in the school cafeteria. Our first fundraiser is a raucous drag show (adults only) on Friday August 13 at 8:30pm which raises money for the school.

Whatever you do, try to come to the opening picnic at 1pm on August 15 in the schoolyard. Bring a dish to share and meet your child’s classmates and teacher.

The Lingo

What do all these acronyms mean?

PFC Parent Faculty Club
SSC (school site council)
FoHM Friends of Harvey Milk
IEP (individual education plan)
ELL (english language learner)
ELA (english language arts)
GATE (gifted and talented education, begins in 3rd grade)
SES (socio-economic status)
SST (student success team)
BSC (balanced score card – we should put all of this on the web site)
LSP (learning support professional)
RSP (resource specialist professional)
SNS (student nutrition services)
CBO (community based organization)
UA (universal access)

If you have any other questions you’d like to see added to this list, please let us know!

Harvey Milk Civil Rights AcademySan Francisco public elementary school