General School Information

This page contains general, administrative information about Jefferson.

Contacting the School

Call the school office at 644-6298. The school secretary Marie Ferguson or Principal Maggie Riddle will help you get the information you need.

Absences

If your child is absent, call the school office or send a note with your child on the first day that s/he returns to school.

Note: There is a direct connection between good attendance and student success in school. Please help your child understand the importance of learning by supporting regular attendance and promptly arriving at school.

Regular Schedule

Mon, Tue, Th, Fri:

Kindergarten: 8:15 a.m. - 1:25 p.m.
Grades 1-3: 8:15 a.m. - 2:20 p.m.
Grades 4-5: 8:15 a.m. - 2:25 p.m.

Wed - Minimum Day:

Kindergarten: 8:15 a.m. - 1:25 p.m.
Grades 1-3: 8:15 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Grades 4-5: 8:15 a.m. - 1:35 p.m.

Early Dismissal Days

Certain days are "short" days. See the schedule above. The Voyager After-School program begins at dismissal time for all students on those days.

Bus Schedules

If your child takes a bus to Jefferson, you have already received a schedule in the mail. Bus transportation will be provided from Jefferson School to after school programs that have made arrangements with the district. Call the Transportation Department (644-6182).

Lost and Found

Has your child lost a coat or sweatshirt? How about a glove, hat or lunchbox? Chances are, it's probably in the Jefferson Lost & Found!

Where to Find It

The Lost & Found items can be located just behind the stairs at the central ground floor entrance (by the girls’ bathroom).

At the Lost & Found, you can find:

• coats hanging on the rack
• sweaters and shirts in the cubed shelving
• hats, gloves, and lunchboxes on the shelves
• the sweatshirts in the big cart

In the main office, look for:

• glasses and other valuables

Note: At the end of every month, any unclaimed items will be donated to a charitable organization.

Check the Lost & Found for your student's items whenever you visit the school, and strongly encourage your child to look there too.

Jefferson is not responsible for any lost & found items, especially those that may have already been claimed.

Label Your Child's Clothing & Lunch Boxes

Prevent clothes from ending up in the Lost & Found in the first place. Label everything with your child’s name and room number.

Emergency Cards and Study Trip Forms

These cards and forms will be sent home on the first day of school. Be sure to complete them and return them within a few days. They are very important!

Meal Prices

Children can purchase school breakfasts for $1.50 and lunches for $3.00. Free and reduced priced lunch forms will be sent home on the first day of school. Many families can qualify for this program!! If your child received a free or reduced lunch last year at Jefferson, this will continue in September. However, you have 30 days to renew your application.

My School Bucks

mySchoolBucks.com is an online payment center for parents. At mySchoolBucks.com, you can:

• Make payments to your child's account
  
  Note that a per transaction service fee or one-time membership or subscription fee applies. See site for more details
• View cafeteria purchases
• Track meal account balances
• Set up low-balance email reminders
• Schedule recurring payments

Sign up at http://mySchoolBucks.com

Traffic and Parking Safety

Please help make Jefferson a safe place for children who walk or drive to and from school. If you drive your child to school, please respect the following rules which are enforced by the Berkeley police department:

• Do not park in "bus loading" zones on Ada and Rose Streets.
• Do not double park anywhere near the school.
• Do not block neighbors' driveways when you bring your children to school.
• Have your child leave your car at a curb where she does not have to cross a street, or on Sacramento Street, where there are crossing guards.

Complaint Procedure

There is a formal complaint procedure in place in all Berkeley Schools. A form is posted in the office that is available for any Berkeley parent, resident, or student who wishes to initiate a complaint against any Berkeley Unified School District policy, practice, procedure, or employee. There is also a special form available to you to file a complaint alleging a violation of law, policy, or regulation governing our consolidated categorical aid programs, such as Special Education, Title I, EIA (Second Language Learners). Both forms are available in the office and are there for your use should you need one.