PARENT/STUDENT HANDBOOK
Welcome to Pinecrest
THOUSAND OAKS!
You’ve chosen a private-independent, NIPSA Accredited, Blue Ribbon School – an institution which has the freedom to determine its own direction and maintain its own standards. Your family is now part of Pinecrest’s tradition of passing on these high standards.
WHO’S WHO?
 The Teachers not only work with your child in the classroom, they serve as your contact with the school – they are in the best position to help. Their ideal is to work with you as partners. In a private school, taking a concern to what parent may see as “the top” – the administration – actually slows down the response time: the matter is usually referred back to the teachers. Teachers want you to keep in touch; just phone in advance to set a convenient time.
The Campus Director/Principal serves the needs of children in the elementary grades and is responsible for the overall welfare and education of your child. He/she takes responsibility for daily operations and makes grade-level and classroom placements. Through his/her presence, knowledge and example, he/she brings the school’s mission to life and focus it upon the special needs of each age group. He/she verifies that the students who are admitted fit into the curriculum and the overall program. The Campus Director/Principal ensures that the plant and facilities support the program; for overseeing the school’s fund-raising activities; for working with the Board to plan for the future; and for serving as the school’s formal ambassador to the outside world.
Because you have selected a private school to meet the unique needs of your child, the final responsibility for seeing that your child stays on course, furthering the direction and mission originally set by the school’s founder rests with the Board of Directors. In a private school educational principles, not popular opinion, dictate this direction. The Board members are responsible for keeping their eyes on the big picture.
Our school community also includes many Support Staff members in the areas of Student Registration, Attendance and Accounting: Administrative Assistance: Health Care Services; Extended Care Programs; and other areas. For more help in “Who to Call”, see our September newsletter, the Pinecone, or our website www.pinecrestschools.com/thousandoaks for a complete staff directory.
COMMUNICATION:
A copy of the yearly Academic Planner is included in the August mailing, and extra copies are available in the school office. Homework (grades 3-6); Lunch Menu, Calendar of Events as well as the Pinecone (news from each class, Student Honors and other special events) are featured at www.pincecrestschools.com/thousandoaks, our prize winning website. The Pinecone, Calendar of Events and Lunch Menu are published from September through June, and once during the summer. A current calendar and lunch menu will be sent home with the students around the first of each month. Occasionally, it is necessary to change, add or delete calendar and menu items. We will make every attempt to notify you in advance of these changes. For those who do not have internet access we will provide copies of the Pinecone upon request.
Parent-Teacher Conferences are held at the end of the first quarter of school. In the meantime, please feel free to contact the school if you have questions or concerns. The first contact should generally be with the classroom teacher. We ask that teachers try to return calls within 24 hours after notification. Please remember that a teacher may not receive a phone message until the end of a school day, or possibly the beginning of the next day. Teachers have a limited amount of time during the school day to make phone calls. At times, teachers may phone you during their planning period and by the time you are able to return the call, the teacher may be with a class. We cannot interrupt teaching unless there is a true emergency. Please do not ask us to do so. Teachers will post their hours for parents at Back-To-School-Night. This is the best time to reach them.
Please do not try to conference with the teachers when they have yard supervision or during class time. Teachers cannot give you the attention you deserve when they are responsible for the students and their safety. If you need to speak with a teacher, please schedule an appointment.
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