Grades 4-5 8:35 a.m. - 3:05 p.m.

Monday – Friday 8:25 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Hot lunch is served daily in the cafeteria at the following prices:

Student lunch (including milk) $2.00

Pint low fat milk .30

Reduced price lunch .40

All checks should be made payable to the Robert Semple School Cafeteria. Lunch tickets

will be available through the lunch line. Free and reduced lunch application forms will be distributed the first day of school. To insure that your child has a lunch each day,

please buy a lunch ticket. Children are not allowed to borrow.

supervision before that time. All students should be picked up from school or should go

home on their own immediately after school unless they are staying for a special program, e.g. Student Council and have permission to stay late. Siblings may not wait

for kindergarten brothers or sisters on Friday.

With permission from a staff member, students may use the telephone to call home in case of

illness, emergency, or if they are staying after school. Students may also be permitted, at the

discretion of school staff, to call about lunch money, library books, musical instruments, etc.

Students may not use the telephone to request permission to go to a friend’s house after school

or for other non-school purposes.

• Students are not allowed to bring toy guns/knives, "poppers", sports cards, walkmans,

• In order to promote good nutrition, candy and soft drinks are not allowed at school.
• Any student who brings a knife or other weapon to school, even if it is not real,

work to the benefit of the student. The staff at Semple agrees with this policy and assigns

homework to students on a regular basis. At Back To School Night each teacher will share

his/her individual policy. In general, homework is assigned that will give students extended

practice, allow them to apply what they’ve learned to a new situation, or do research for a

special project. It will usually be about 30 minutes per night in the primary grades and up to

an hour in the upper grades. If you have any questions about your child’s homework, please

contact his/her teacher.

Students are expected to dress in a manner that will not detract from their learning or that of

other students. Their dress must meet school rules, i.e. be respectful and safe. This means

that net shirts, half shirts, short shorts (must be longer than fingertips held at sides), long earrings,

and flip flops will not be permitted.

Sayings or symbols on T-Shirts must be appropriate for an elementary school. For the safety

of the students, closed toes shoes should be worn.

The Benicia Unified School District has established a Campus Safety Hot Line to prevent violence and keep BUSD campuses safe. The number is 745-9187. The Hot Line is directed

to the school district office, where an employee will monitor it during the day, with a message machine on during off hours. A person, student or adult, need not identify himself/herself

in relating his/her information.

Call 745-2976 for information about district happenings. Visit the BUSD Website at benciaunified.org.

Due to limited funds, we frequently ask parents to drive for field trips. All persons driving

students must fill out a "Use of Private Vehicle" form, bring in their driver’s license, and

show proof of insurance, with expiration date, three days before they can drive students

on field trips. No students will be allowed to ride in the front seat if the car is equipped

with a passenger side air bag.

LOST AND FOUND Please make sure that your child’s jacket, sweater, lunch box, and other

items are marked with his/her name in case they are lost. Each year we donate many items to

PROGRAMS & SERVICES FOR STUDENTS

The Robert Semple School Library is an important part of our goal to develop a love of reading

in all of our students. To insure that children always have a book to read, each classroom has a

scheduled library time each week. In addition, the library is open during primary grade recess

for children who would like to listen to a story and before school for check out and return of books. There are also student research hours when teachers may send individual or small groups

of children to the library to do research.

Our librarian, in conjunction with the Parent Group, sponsors the Read-at-Home Program.

This program encourages children to read by rewarding students with a free paperback book when they read a specified amount of time. Information on this program will be sent home early

in the school year.

Primary grade students may check out a book for one week. This will allow them to check out books for pleasure reading as well as books for research. They may keep their books for two

weeks unless, those books have been put on reserve by a teacher to ensure adequate books for

a particular class assignment. During open library times, students may return a book and

check out another book.

If a book is not returned when it is due, a student may not check out another book until that book

is returned. Students may read magazines or a book from the shelf when they do not check a

book out. Students who have overdue books at the end of the year will be asked to pay the cost

to replace the book.

The school district employs a nurse who works at all of the schools in the district. She schedules

part of her time at Robert Semple, and is on emergency call at all times. Under the direction of

the nurse, vision and hearing screening programs are operated, as well as information on

health services.

Music is offered to fourth and fifth grade students. Our music teacher provides instruction in

vocal music, as well as music appreciation to these students at Robert Semple.

Interested fifth grade students may choose to participate in the district band program. Students

will meet at the District Office twice a week after school. Students from all five elementary

schools join together for band. Parents are expected to provide instruments and transportation.

Our fourth and fifth grade students are given the opportunity to participate in an outstanding

outdoor education camps. The fourth grades extend their social studies by traveling to

Coloma Outdoor Discovery School in Coloma and the fifth grades extend their science

curriculum by attending an Outdoor Education Science Camp.

Robert Semple School is committed to the use of computers and other forms of technology

to support and enhance the curriculum. Our PC lab has 30 computers and all classes visit

the lab at a minimum of once a week.

In addition to the labs, our classrooms have many computers of various ages. Every classroom

also has a Macintosh, which is compatible with out lab network. All classrooms are wired to

the Internet.

Every Friday we have a book exchange. Students may exchange up to three books. They may

also buy one book for 25 cents. (Some special books are 50 cents.) The purpose of the

exchange is to encourage children to read more.

Any student who wishes to participate in student government and can stay after school two

afternoons a month can be a part of Student Council. Elections for Robert Semple Senators

are held in the fall each year. The Student Council meets twice a month after school for a half

hour. The purpose of the Student Council is to enhance the academic and social environment

at Robert Semple and to give children experience with student government and the democratic

process.

We will have Spanish Club for any child interested in improving upon or learning Spanish

as a second language. This club is held at Robert Semple, but is not part of the core

curriculum. The club is called IES Language Foundation: Languages for Kids! And is

The school district supports the full inclusion of all students whenever possible. Specialized

services are provided small group and individualized instruction designed to target and reinforce

individual learning needs for students. More information is available at the school office.

The school has a psychologist two days a week who is responsible for psycho-educational

testing of identified students. In addition counseling is available for emergency situations or

for students identified as needing specialized services. For more information, call the school

office at 747-8360 or the District Office at 747-8300.

A speech therapist provides speech therapy and language development services to students at

Robert Semple School. Students are referred by teachers, staff members and parents. Students

in the Benicia State Preschool are also eligible for services. The speech therapist can be

reached by calling the school office at 747-8360.

Robert Semple has a Resource Specialist who works with identified students with learning difficulties. She develops an individualized program in conjunction with the classroom

teacher to meet the student’s special needs. Her services are provided to students in small

groups, individually or in the classroom depending on individual needs.

The Title I Program, funded by the federal government, exists to provide supplementary

instruction in reading and math to students who are below grade level in these subjects.

The Learning Center staff at Robert Semple provides these services through a combination

of in-class instruction, special small group instruction in the Learning Center, and extended

day programs. Eligible students are selected in the fall. Selection is based on results from

standardized tests administered to all students each spring and on teacher referrals. Parents

are notified of student eligibility and pre-placement conferences can be scheduled if necessary.

The Gifted and Talented Program is available to students in grades 4 – 5 who qualify on the

basis of exceptionally high – test scores. Activities are of an enrichment nature, and vary

from year to year. Teachers in the district are receiving training in differentiating instruction

to meet the need of gifted learners.

This program provides one on one directive play sessions with trained paraprofessionals. The

purpose of the program is to help children who are experiencing difficulties in school due to

transitions in their lives. Children may be referred by their teacher or a request may be made

by a parent.

Every student has the right to attend a safe and orderly school. The staff at Robert Semple

believes that their role is to teach children appropriate, responsible behavior and to help them

develop important life skills. Children are expected to follow school rules and treat other

students and adults with respect. In 2006 the Peace Builder Program was adopted to reinforce

positive behavior and teach students problem solving skills. This in cooperation with our

Second Step Program forms the basis of our school wide discipline program. Parent’s are

important partners in helping teach their children appropriate school behavior.

Every family should have received a copy of the District Discipline Handbook. This document

clearly states the district’s philosophy and policies regarding discipline. It also articulates parent

and student rights and responsibilities. Please reread this document carefully and keep it as a

reference. This book will not be distributed each year so please keep your copy in a safe

place where you can refer to it as needed. New families will receive a copy of the handbook.

If you have lost yours, please ask in the office for a new copy.

The teaching of life skills is an important part of our program. The primary life skills that we

work on are: caring, common sense, cooperation, courage, curiosity, effort, flexibility, friendship, initiative, integrity, organization, patience, perseverance, problem solving,

responsibility and sense of humor. The mastery of these skills is important if a person is

to be successful in life. We will be teaching, practicing and reinforcing these life skills in a

variety of ways. Watch for information from your child, your child’s teacher, and in the news note. The family is vital if a child is to become proficient in these skills. Please join

us in helping your child become a functional, happy and successful person.

All teachers and staff have received training in Bullying Prevention. Students received

through an assembly and in class lessons. A Parent Information Night was held. As an

outgrowth of this training a group of involved parents have created "Kids Connection,"

a group whose purpose is to build a sense of community and to increase student’s connection

to school.

At Robert Semple School our goal is to teach students proper behavior and our policy is to

reinforce those students who display responsible behavior. Our rules are the following:

All teachers will discuss the meaning of these rules with their students at the start of school.

These are simple general principles that all students can remember. Their meaning takes

time to develop and we need your help. Here are some of the behaviors students need to

demonstrate or avoid in order to follow these rules:

• Speak and act in a respectful manner. This means no name calling, swearing, or teasing.
• Help solve problems.
• Keep your hands and feet to yourself.

• Listen to and cooperate with the adult in charge.
• Do not leave your classroom or the playground without permission.
• Never bring knives of any size, toys guns, or any other kind of weapon (real or toy)

• Play on the playground, not in the bathroom or between the buildings.
• If you take the bus to school, stay seated and follow bus safety rules.
• Never jump off of playground equipment.
• When the bell rings, freeze until you hear the whistle, then walk to class.
• Never kick or throw anything but the playground balls.
• Use the slide properly; feet first to the bottom. Kids are not allowed to climb up or on the

outside of the slides.

Learn: Your teachers are your guides. Listen to them. Share your ideas. Let them know if you

don’t understand. You can help your fellow students learn and you can learn from them. Everyone at Robert Semple is a teacher as well as a learner. Do your part to make our school

a good learning environment.

Be responsible: All of the above involves responsibility. This is one of the most important

things you will learn in your life. Responsibility also involves being prepared each day with

your homework and needed equipment, turning in your class assignments on time, and following

school and classroom rules.

We believe that people need recognition for doing a good job. We, therefore have several reward

programs at Robert Semple.

Dynamite Dragons Students who are observed committing random acts of kindness or exercising

a life skill may be awarded a Dynamite Dragon. Each Friday, the principal asks each teacher to

draw two Dynamite Dragons. Students whose names are drawn are allowed to go to the school

office and select a toy from the principal as a reward for good behavior.

Citizenship Awards: Awards of recognition are given to students who show exemplary behavior

and citizenship.

Students who choose to misbehave will receive one of the following consequences depending on

the severity of the act and their attitude:

• A verbal reprimand that will focus on what behavior they should display at school.
• Time-out. Student will not be allowed to continue participating in the activity for a short

• A Discipline Note. For serious misbehavior, repeated misbehavior, or lack of cooperation with a staff member, a student will receive a Discipline Note. Consequences for receiving a Discipline Note will depend on the nature of the misbehavior, the age of the child, and the number of Discipline Notes that the child has received. The main purpose of the Discipline Note is to inform you, the parent, that your child has had a problem at school. If you have questions about the Discipline Note or why your child received it, please call the teacher who gave the referral.

At the end of the trimester, all Discipline Notes are torn up and every student starts fresh in the

new term.

Robert Semple is well known for its outstanding parent involvement. There are many ways for

parents to contribute to this school and to their child’s education.

CLASSROOM VOLUNTEERS We strongly encourage you to volunteer in our classrooms.

In addition to helping with the regular school program, we need volunteers for our special

programs such as Art Docent. This program adds a great deal to our educational program and

is totally run by parents. Before you volunteer, you must fill out a volunteer registration form,

get a TB test and provide a current photo ID. All volunteer applications will be processed by

the Benicia USD in coordination with the Benicia Police Department for clearance in working

with children.

PARENT GROUP Our Parent Group is exceptionally effective due to strong leadership and

a large pool of active parents. The Parent Group meets at 7:00 PM on the second Tuesday of

the month in the staff lounge. All are welcome. In addition to a business meeting the Parent

Group sometimes offers a program or discussion of interest to parents. The Robert Semple

Parent Group sponsors ongoing programs such as the Art Docents, and special events such

as the Harvest Festival, Art Day, and various social events. This group is also very successful

at raising funds for our school.

SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL The SSC is composed of 5 parents, 3 teacher representatives, a

classified employee representative, and the principal. The members are elected by their respective groups and serve for two years. The role of the SSC is a very important one.

It helps to set the goals for the school and makes decisions about how School Improvement

funds are spent. The SSC meets on the first Friday of the month at 1:30 in the staff room.

The public is welcome to all meetings.

ART AWARENESS PROGRAM Parents sponsor an enrichment program where parent volunteers serve as Art Docents. Each class has a docent who gives a monthly presentation

on art and design concepts using large prints, sculpture, and photographs. Students participate

in a class discussion of the art works and a short hands- on activity designed to reinforce the

new concepts. Additional follow-up art projects are also done.

CHILD CARE/PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS

The Child Development Unit is a State funded childcare program. The program has a preschool

for 3-5 year old children, and a before and after school program for children who are in the K

through 5^th grade. The Child Development Unit is open from 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. all year.

The program will close for all legal and some local holidays.

The program subsidizes families who are of low income with charges on a sliding scale. Parents

must be working or in training to be eligible for the program. There is some space available for

families who do not meet the low-income criteria.

The philosophy of the program is to provide a safe well-supervised environment for children.

Keeping in mind that the family has the most influence on the child, the program is planned

to enhance physical, social and emotional growth for each child.

For more information please call 747-8367.

The State Preschool Program is a half-day, morning only preschool program for children who

are 3-5 years old. The program operates during the school year and serves as an educational

program for parents who must work periodically in the classroom with the children.

The State Preschool Program accepts families who are low income. State funds are used to

subsidize fees for families who receive AFDC or SSI/SSP grants from the State of California.

The Preschool Program is structured in such a way that children are able to explore, experiment

and discover with the guidance of a trained staff member.

For more information call Laura Bennett at 747-8366.