Family-Student Handbook

Federal Terrace is a moderately sized elementary school serving about 270 students. Our diverse student body is a true reflection of our community, and Vallejo in general. Academic success is the goal at Federal Terrace. Our teachers and support personnel consistently guide students in reaching their highest potential in all grade-level standards. Our faculty and staff are dedicated to providing a warm, nurturing learning environment for all students. We strive to ensure that each student and community member has what they need to succeed. We are here to serve you, and I humbly invite you to come meet me and our teachers.

Our mission at Federal Terrace Elementary School is to ensure high levels of academic achievement for all students and prepare them for future success.

Review the role of the School Site Council (SSC) at Federal Terrace Elementary School. The SSC is a group of parents, staff, and community members who work together to improve student achievement. As a California K-12 public school receiving categorical funds, Federal Terrace is required to form an SSC

Review the role of the English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) at Federal Terrace Elementary School. The ELAC is a group of parents and staff who advise on programs and services for English learners.

We encourage parents to visit the school. While here, please respect the learning environment and refrain from using your cell phone in classrooms. For safety, all visitors must check in at the office. Advance notice helps us prepare for your visit. Please let us know beforehand when possible.
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Emergency cards are sent home at the beginning of the year and kept in the Main Office. Update the office if contact information changes.

Medications such as Tylenol, cough syrup, and lozenges are not allowed at school without prior permission. Parents and a physician must complete an authorization form before medication can be administered. Unauthorized medication will be discarded immediately. Children must never transport medication. Adults should deliver approved medication directly to the office.

Parents can expect a monthly newsletter from the principal, as well as a weekly communication from your child’s teacher. Possible topics will include homework, upcoming events, birthday parties, snack, and lunch policies.

Review how Federal Terrace supports the whole child through Social-Emotional Learning (SEL). Our SEL plan integrates the Mindful Life Project and Sanford Harmony to help students build resilience, empathy, and positive relationships.

Review our schoolwide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) expectations. Students are taught to reflect on their actions and practice safety, kindness, respect, and responsibility each day.

Students earn Dragon Dollars for positive behavior, which can be redeemed or recognized in class. Dragon Dollars are the reward system used as part of our PBIS Program. Students will be given a dragon dollar when they are “caught” being safe, responsible, and/or respectful by an adult in our school. Individual teachers will also have recognition opportunities in their class.

Mindfulness practices help students manage emotions, reduce stress, and build resilience. Mindfulness is a science based practice that gets individuals to experience life in the present moment through a non judgemental lens. Where one can notice emotions, thoughts, physical sensations, and all of life’s experiences in a healthy non-reactive way. MIndfulness has been scientifically proven to improve the brain’s optimal function. Studies show that mindfulness requires the brain and specifically decreases stress.

This curriculum teaches peer relationship skills through structured lessons, activities, and games that promote inclusivity and collaboration. Sanford Harmony is an social emotional learning curriculum that targets the development of social skills. By focusing on peer relationship processes we can contribute to students’ academic success. The program consists of structured activities, lessons, games, and stories designed to promote learning environments that are inclusive and collaborative to support the development of healthy peer relationships. We teach this every day.

Review the three steps students are expected to follow to avoid conflict. These strategies help maintain a safe, respectful, and supportive school environment.

Review the recess and playground expectations at Federal Terrace Elementary. These guidelines help students stay safe, play fairly, and show kindness while enjoying their free time.

The Vallejo City Unified School District Governing Board and Federal Terrace staff are committed to maintaining a learning environment that is free of harassment. The board prohibits the unlawful sexual harassment of any student by any employee, student, or other person at school or at any school-related activity. Review our sexual harassment policies.

District Administrative Regulation 5145.7(a), (b), (c) prohibits discrimination and harassment based on disability, gender, gender identity, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation. Conduct by anyone in the school setting that constitutes harassment or discrimination is strictly prohibited. Actions that affect a student’s ability to function or their emotional well-being at school are unacceptable. Review our discrimination/harassment policies.

A student who believes he or she is being harassed or discriminated against at school or during school activities because of sex, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion should immediately bring it to the attention of any school staff member. District complaint procedures will be followed to resolve the issue. Review the process of filing a complaint.

We are strengthening our commitment to student success by reasserting an important district policy: Students may not use cell phones, smartwatches, smart glasses, or headphones/earbuds during the school day. While this rule has always existed, we are taking stronger and more consistent action to ensure classrooms remain focused, safe, and engaging spaces for learning. Review our policies regarding cell phones and electronic devices.

Students bused to Federal Terrace will go straight into the multipurpose room for breakfast upon arrival in the morning. Bused students will be dismissed to the yard once adult supervision has begun at 8:10 a.m. At the end of the day, students taking the bus home will first assemble at the front entrance. Once the signal is given by the bus driver, students will proceed to the bus.

In order to provide a safe and respectful learning environment, all students must dress in a manner that shows respect for both themselves and others. Neither Vallejo City Unified School District nor Federal Terrace Elementary School is responsible for students’ personal property or belongings. Students are advised not to bring expensive jewelry, clothing, or other valuable personal items to school.

Toys, trading cards, electronic devices, Game Boys, portable PlayStations, balls, bats, gloves, and similar items are not to be brought to school. Such items will be confiscated, and parents will need to contact the school to retrieve them. We also strongly suggest that you do not send your child to school with a cell phone. Federal Terrace staff will not be responsible for any lost or stolen items listed above.

Review the expectations for student participation in field trips and special activities. These guidelines ensure all students have safe and meaningful learning opportunities while recognizing that attending a field trip is a privilege, not a right.

Review Federal Terrace Elementary’s attendance and check-out procedures to help keep our school day safe and organized. Families play an important role in ensuring students arrive on time, attend regularly, and follow proper check-in and check-out rules.

Absences from school are excused only for health reasons, family emergencies, or other justifiable personal reasons permitted by law, board policy, or administrative regulations (Education Code 48205). Because class participation is an important part of learning, parents and guardians are encouraged to schedule medical appointments outside of school hours whenever possible. Review our guidelines regarding excused absence.

A tardy is defined as arriving to class after the bell rings. Students who arrive 30 minutes or more after the bell are considered truant. Students with excessive tardies will first receive a verbal warning, followed by additional steps outlined in the school’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) guidelines.

According to California Education Code 48260(a), a student is considered truant if they are absent from school without a valid excuse for three full days in one school year, or if they are tardy or absent for more than 30 minutes without a valid excuse on three occasions in one school year. Any combination of unexcused absences or tardies that meets these criteria also qualifies as truancy. Review the truancy process.

Meals are an important part of student health and success, and we want every child to be ready to learn each day. Please review the guidelines to learn more about lunch options and important procedures for meal times at school.

Students may bring a healthy snack each day. Snack time is during recess. Students are expected to sit in the designated snack area, eat their snack, and place trash in the garbage before playing.

In coordination with our district’s guidelines for the well being of our students, and to address the health, safety and wellness of all staff, and students at Federal Terrace we must require that birthday celebrations must be kept in the home setting only. Alternatives include donating books, bringing a favorite book to share, or donating recess equipment.

Review the emergency contact information requirements for each school year. Parents and guardians must complete and return Emergency Cards to ensure the school can reach a trusted adult quickly in case of illness or emergency.

Review the driving and drop-off safety rules around Federal Terrace Elementary. Following these guidelines helps protect all children and keeps our school community safe.

For your child’s safety, please do not drop your student off at Federal Terrace before the 8:10 a.m. start of adult supervision. Students are unsupervised prior to this time. Please also arrange to have your student picked up on time each day. Office staff cannot supervise children after school. The office closes promptly at 4 p.m. every day.