John Muir Elementary has updated a variety of policies this year within the student handbook so please read and review.
However due to state law, and updated state education code we wanted to bring attention to a few new changes for this year regarding smart devices and nutrition.
Cell Phones (or any other mobile communication device)
Per California Assembly Bill 3216, and California education code school districts are required to develop and adopt, a policy to limit or prohibit the use by its pupils of smartphones while the pupils are at a school site or while the pupils are under the supervision and control of an employee or employees of that school district. Mobile communication devices belonging to students should be turned off and out of sight while on campus during school hours. Such devices shall be turned off at all times, except when being used for a valid instructional or other school-related purpose as determined by the teacher or other district employee. Any device with camera, video, or voice recording function shall not be used in any manner which infringes on the privacy rights of any other person. (AUSD Board Policy 5131). No student shall be prohibited from possessing or using an electronic signaling device that is determined by a licensed physician or surgeon to be essential for the student's health and the use of which is limited to purposes related to the student's health. (Education Code 48901.5)
Consequences for violation of mobile communication policy:
Warning- Review of Policy.
Phone confiscated for the day (student may pick up cell phone at the end of the day). Parent is notified.
Phone confiscated for the day (parent/ guardian must pick up cell phone). Parent is notified.
Phone is banned from school OR check in/out from office each day.
John Muir is not responsible for damaged, missing, or stolen cell phones. The District is not responsible for the loss, theft, or damage of any student’s personal property, including vehicles parked on District property, cell phones, money, jewelry, etc.
For more questions on why our cell phone policy needed to be updated please review the governor's website on updates legislation: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2024/09/23/governor-newsom-signs-legislation-to-limit-the-use-of-smartphones-during-school-hours/
Nutrition Policy/ Nutrition Services
Permitted Foods on Campus - As part of Antioch Unified School District and in alignment with Education Code 49430–49436, certain foods are not allowed on campus due to nutritional standards. These include items that are high in sugar, heavily processed, or non-compliant with our district’s wellness policy.
Snacks- It is recommended that all students bring a healthy snack to enjoy during their first recess and a water bottle to enjoy throughout the day. Snacks are not permitted on the blacktop area. There are designated areas for snacks. Due to pest control issues, open food containers (snacking in class) is not allowed and only plain water will be permitted.
Snack Sharing - For safety reasons, students may not share snacks or food items. We have students with a variety of food allergies and dietary restrictions, and we want to prevent any avoidable health risks.
Meal Delivery - Outside food deliveries (i.e., DoorDash, Uber Eats, or parent drop-offs of fast food, Starbucks and other custom drinks/soda) will not be permitted during the school day. Please make sure your child comes to school with their lunch or plans to eat a school-provided meal. If bringing a lunch from home, please make sure your child comes to school with everything needed. If a child forgets his/her lunch, they can receive a FREE lunch from the cafeteria.
Parents/Guardians are not permitted to provide any food to students other than their own child.
The school breakfast and lunch program is in operation from the first day of school to the last day of attendance. Currently, the state of California has made breakfast and lunches free for enrolled students. Breakfast is served beginning 30 minutes prior to school start, and will continue to be served until 10 minutes prior to the school start time. Please note, if your child arrives to school within 10 minutes of class starting, breakfast will not be provided. Parents are not allowed in the cafeteria.
The most common issue in a school cafeteria is noise. Students are reminded to talk in quiet voices. If the noise should reach an intolerable level, students will be asked to eat in silence. To assure overall success and efficiency of our food management system, food operation is limited to students only.
Lunch Time Procedures
Teachers escort students to the lunchroom.
Students are to keep voices low and hands/feet to themselves.
No running in the walkways and cafeteria.
Cafeteria seating is assigned by class/ grade level. Students are to remain at their designated tables. No table hopping.
Students must raise their hand and be recognized in order to leave their seats for any reason.
Students are required to use polite table/eating manners and set a good example for others.
Students are to follow noon duty supervisors’ instruction at all times.
Food cannot be taken out of the cafeteria, or designated lunch area.
Students are to line up and walk to the playground from the cafeteria.