Student Routines
School Hours: The first bell rings at 8:05 a.m. daily. Students should not arrive at school before 7:50 a.m. The school day ends at 3:05 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday except on minimum days. Every Wednesday there is early dismissal at 1:40 p.m. On minimum days, school ends at 12:20 p.m. See the calendar section of this handbook for minimum days. Unless students are participating in an organized after school activity, they need to leave the school grounds within 20 minutes of dismissal each day. There is no supervision for students on campus after that time.
Brunch/Lunch: Students may bring a lunch and snack from home. The District Food Services does sell items at brunch and lunch. Please go to the Terman website under “Lunch” for information on lunch accounts.
Telephone Use: Students and families are asked to make arrangements for after school activities and transportation before leaving home in the morning. There is a telephone in the office available for students during brunch, lunch or after school for emergencies. Parents may call and leave messages for students. Please do not ask your student to check for text or voicemail messages during school hours. Cell phones must be OFF from 8:05 to 3:05.
Restrooms: Students are to use the restrooms during brunch and lunch. If a student must use the restroom during class time, the student must obtain permission from the teacher and obtain a hall pass. Facilities for handicapped students are available.
Personal Property: The school is not responsible for theft and/or damage to personal property. Students are responsible for loss or damage to their personal items such as calculators, cell phones, iPods, books, and instruments. Students are strongly encouraged NOT to bring small electronic devices to school, including cell phones. Please put labels on all articles of clothing, personal items, backpacks and instruments. Please leave articles of value at home.
Lost and Found: Lost and found items will be located in the office. At the end of each quarter, unclaimed items will be donated to the PTA Council Wardrobe Center located at Jordan, or another charity clothes closet.
Tiger Talk: The PTA newsletter, Tiger Talk, is published monthly and sent home with the students. There will be a notice on eNews when it has gone home. Ask your child for the Tiger Talk. It will contain an update of future events, principal’s message, and other school and district information.
PTA eNews: In addition to the monthly newsletter, there will be weekly e-mail updates of the school calendar, upcoming events, reminders and important school news through eNews. Refer to our website at for eNews instructions.
Visitors: A visitor is anyone who is not a registered student. All visitors including parents must check in at the office and receive a visitor badge, which must be worn at all times while on campus. There will be designated parent visitation days, which are on the school calendar. While on campus, all parents must wear their visitor badge. Other than scheduled parent volunteers and parent visitation days, there should not be any other visitors to school unless it has been previously arranged.
We do not encourage student visitors to campus. A student who wishes to bring a visitor to school must request permission form from the principal and the teachers at least two days before the visit with a note from his/her parent. Student visitors must be 6th, 7th, or 8th grade students only. Visits are restricted to one day only and are primarily for students from out of town. Students from other local schools will not be permitted to visit.
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Palo Alto Unified School District
Webmaster | updated 11/09