In order to provide the most convenient schedule to as many working parents as possible, we will be maintaining our same bell schedule this year. School begins at 8:12 a.m. for all students. The lunch and dismissal times are listed below for your convenience. 

Kindergarten:
School begins: 8:12 a.m. 
Lunch: 11:20-12:05 p.m. 
Dismissal: 1:02 p.m. 

Grades 1-3:
School begins: 8:12 a.m. 
Lunch: 11:20-12:05 (1st grade) or 11:50-12:35 (2nd and 3rd grade) 
Dismissal: 2:14 p.m. (Mon., Tues., Wed., Fri.) and 1:38 p.m. (Thursday for Bank Time) 

Grades 4-6:
School begins: 8:12 a.m. 
Lunch: 12:31 - 1:16 p.m. 
Dismissal: 2:25 p.m. (Mon., Tues., Wed., and Fri.) and 2:05 p.m. (Thursday for Bank Time) 

Campus Hours for Non-Daycare Students

Students not enrolled in early morning daycare must not be dropped off before 7:45 a.m. Students not enrolled in after-school daycare must be picked up 20 minutes after dismissal time. Non-daycare students on campus during daycare hours. 

Bank Time to Continue on Thursdays 

Downtown School has a program of banking time in the daily schedule (adding extra minutes to four days a week) so that we can have a Bank Day (minimum day) one day a week for the purpose of in-depth instructional planning and staff development. We will continue this policy this year by releasing students early on Thursdays. Please note the different dismissal times listed above so that you may be prompt in collecting your children upon dismissal. Please note, students who remain 20 minutes after dismissal on Bank Day will automatically be placed in daycare and charged a $15.00 drop-in fee for the afternoon. 

Afternoon Release of Students and Late Fee Charges 

It is the responsibility of all parents to pick children up in a timely manner at the end of the school day. We understand that you are occasionally delayed in your afternoon arrival but we cannot house children beyond the academic day unless they are paying daycare fees. We allow a 20-minute window of time following the end of the school day for all students not in our daycare program to be picked up. At the end of the 20-minute period, all students remaining at the gate will be escorted to the office where our office staff will assist them in signing into daycare for the day as a drop-in. They will then be sent into the daycare program where we will care for them until your arrival. Upon your arrival you will be asked to pay a $15 drop-in fee. Please make certain that the party responsible for picking your child up each day does so in a timely manner. Please make all pick-up arrangements before your child comes to school so that he or she knows who is going to be picking them up that day. 

Classroom Assignments Announced in Welcome Back Letter

Enclosed with the Welcome Back Letter, you will find a designated classroom assignment for your child.   As all of our Downtown Staff members are highly qualified, fully credentialed teachers that are firmly committed to providing a quality educational experience for your child, we feel confident in the instructional placement of every child in the school. Therefore, there will be no room assignment changes at this time. Thank you for your support in this matter. 

Parents Asked to say Good-bye at the Classroom Door on Day One 

In order to begin the process of teacher-student bonding as soon as possible, all parents are asked not to enter your child's classroom after the 8:12 a.m. bell on the first day of school. Teachers annually request that parents remain outside of the classroom as the first day begins so that they may quickly acclimate your child to their classroom and leadership. Parents are encouraged to say their good-byes at the door and then join fellow parents, PTA members, and Mrs. Rouse for their own meeting in the cafeteria (see below). 

PTA Sponsors First Day of School Reception for All Parents

We know that parents as well as children experience both the excitement and the butterflies that come with the opening of every school year. All parents are invited to join the PTA and the Principal for a coffee and donut reception in the cafeteria at 8:12 a.m. on Monday, the first day of school. 

You will be given the opportunity to greet old friends, make new ones, and learn about the positive new things happening at Downtown Elementary School. 

Registration for Daycare 

In an effort to make the first day of school process a smooth and quick one, we have established a pre-registration opportunity for our daycare program. The registration process involves completing the registration form, collecting your payment coupon book, and paying your daycare deposit and your first month's fee. 

Daycare Payments Have Strict Deadlines 

Daycare payments are due on the first on every month and considered late when not paid in full by the 5th. 

Students with outstanding daycare debt on the 10th of the month will be sent home directly following the school day on the 11th and will not be allowed to return to daycare until the debt is cleared. Two months of late payments may result in permanent dismissal from the daycare program. Kindergarten students who are unable to meet their daycare commitment of 3 months may have permits revoked and be removed from the Downtown School program. Please review your school policy book for more information. 

Here's a Brief Summary of What the Daycare has to offer.... 

Art

This class is designed to introduce students to the world of art.  Our instructor teaches using many different mediums from crayons to oil pastels. This class does it all!  Students also participate in district and countywide art shows. What a great class to practice your talents or learn a new medium. 

Computers

This class is designed to give each student a chance to learn the basic use of computers in a school setting. With the use of the school computer lab students will create Power Point presentations, create and publish stories, and use the internet to learn search techniques.

Dance

Dance class will provide your student with the ability to move gracefully across any stage in Bakersfield. Our instructor teaches a variety of dance techniques including, line dancing and group choreography. Students will sure get a work out in this class. 

Drama

This class offers a chance for any student to bust out of their shell. Drama is designed to give students a basic grasp on acting techniques. Students in this class will also be involved with school performances held at the Bakersfield Fox Theatre. 

Kindercare

Kindergarten is the building block for learning the skills to develop in later grades. Both Kindercare teachers work side by side with the Kindergarten teachers to develop a program that enhances the teachings of the morning staff. 

Singing

This class is designed to introduce the students to the world of music.  Our singing instructor's class is designed to teach students about basic music skills.  Students in this class will be involved in the school performances during the school year.

Physical Education

Physical Education is very important to each of our students. We have two instructors - one for grades K-3, and one for grades 3-6. Both instructors include lessons to teach loco-motor skills, basic health, and sports education. You will get your workout here too! 

Important Information Regarding Yellow Emergency Card 

On the first day of school, your child will bring home a number of publications that require your immediate attention. Among these documents will be a Student Information Card (usually referred to as the yellow Emergency Contact Card). This is our only source of information in case of an emergency. Please include accurate and detailed information. Pager and cell phone numbers are extremely important to us. In the event you should move or change places of employment, please notify the school immediately with new contact information. 

There is nothing so disheartening as telling a sick or injured child that we are unable to reach a parent for help. 

Parking Issues 

Please note that you will not be allowed to park directly in front of the school on M Street while school is in session. If you prefer, you can walk your child to the gates or onto the campus, you are asked to use the available parking along 20th and 21st Streets or on the east side of M Street. Also, note that double parking is not only illegal, but is unsafe as well. Simply don't do it! Thanks. 

BMOC Program Continues 

The BMOC Program began as a way to invite men to volunteer on our campus. BMOC, or Big Man On Campus, is a program where fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and big brothers are invited to join their child on campus for lunch. Lunches may be purchased through the cafeteria or may be brought in from one of the local restaurants. It is the BMOC's responsibility to arrange and pay for lunch. The cafeteria will provide you with a special table and the PTA will provide a tasty dessert. We then ask the BMOC to remain on campus throughout the lunch hour to play with the children and to provide an extra set of eyes on the campus. 

We would hope that every household participates in this program at least once during the year. The sign-up sheet is kept in the office so be sure to join in the fun. (For those households where men seem to be scarce, BMOC can also stand for Big Mom On Campus, too!) 

PTA Room "Parents" Needed in Every Class 

Have you thought about helping in your child's class, but didn't know what to do? Would you like to help with the fundraisers, but aren't sure who to talk to? This year the PTA will be promoting the room parent concept. Traditionally known as room moms (we know that dads, grandparents, and others like to pitch in too!), these people help arrange classrooms activities, parties, contact other volunteers, and do a variety of backstage activities that help your child's class run smoothly. 

Cafeteria Payments 

Our Cafeteria staff will be available so that families may make their first food service payment. Prices vary depending on your needs. Please see Ms. Karen or Mrs. Sarah for more information. 

School Site Council 

The School site council (SSC) is a committee made up of staff members and parents who wish to have direct input into how our Specially Funded monies are spent. Our Specially Funded monies are designed to support the instruction of our academically challenged students as well as provide additional support for school-wide programs. 

This committee meets routinely. It is the responsibility of all elected members to attend meetings regularly. An elected member must resign if they miss more than 3 consecutive meetings or 5 meetings in a given year.