Mark Twain Elementary School Procedures
When your child is a student at Mark Twain Elementary School, it’s important to understand and have access to school procedures, rules, and important forms. To help students and parents get the most out of their experience at the school, we’ve made information on school procedures easily and conveniently available online.
Please visit the links to the left for all you need to know about health & medicine; emergency protocol; academics & homework; school meals, and more.
We welcome feedback—please contact us if you have questions or comments on school procedures.
At the beginning of each school year, an Emergency Contact Form will be sent home with your child as part of the school packet.
We kindly ask that you complete and return this form as soon as possible to ensure we have accurate and up-to-date information in case of an emergency.
If there are any changes to your child’s emergency information during the school year—such as a new address, updated phone numbers, or a change in emergency contacts—please notify the school immediately in writing.
Keeping this information current is essential. In the event of an injury or illness, it is critical that we are able to reach a parent or guardian without delay. Your attention to this matter helps us provide the best possible care for your child.
In the event of an accident or medical emergency requiring the attention of a doctor, it is essential that we have up-to-date contact information on file. Please notify the school immediately of any changes to your address, phone numbers, or emergency contacts.
Our priority is always your child’s safety. If your child becomes ill, suffers a contagious condition, or is injured at school and needs to go home, we will:
Attempt to contact a parent or guardian immediately.
If a parent cannot be reached, we will contact the individuals listed on the child’s Emergency Contact Form.
If no contacts can be reached, we will attempt to reach the child’s physician.
In cases of extreme emergency, we will call an ambulance and your child will be taken directly to the hospital. Parents will be contacted as soon as possible.
Please note: We cannot keep seriously ill or injured children at school. A parent or authorized contact will be required to pick the child up from the school office.
The school maintains a signed Authorization to Consent to Treatment of a Minor, which allows hospital personnel to provide medical treatment—including both life-threatening and non-life-threatening care such as x-rays, sutures, etc.
Keeping your contact information current is critical.
Accurate, up-to-date phone numbers allow us to reach you quickly in the event of illness or injury.
If you have specific requests regarding your child’s emergency care plan, please contact the school office directly to discuss arrangements.
In compliance with state law, all students must meet specific health requirements prior to entering the classroom.
Required Immunizations:
Before attending school, children must be immunized against the following diseases:
Diphtheria
Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
Red Measles (Rubeola)
Tetanus
Polio
Mumps
German Measles (Rubella)
Hepatitis B (required for all incoming kindergarten students)
Health Assessment Requirement:
Students entering first grade must provide documentation of a complete health assessment conducted:
Within 18 months prior to entry, or
Within 90 days after entering first grade
Exemptions:
Students may be exempt from immunization or health assessment requirements for:
Medical reasons (with a physician’s statement), or
Religious beliefs (with a signed waiver on file)
To ensure compliance and avoid delays in school attendance, please provide all necessary records to the school office before the first day of school.
For any questions regarding immunization records or exemption procedures, feel free to contact the school office for assistance.
The administration of medication during school hours is generally discouraged. Medical treatment is the responsibility of the parent and family physician, and whenever possible, medications should be scheduled for non-school hours.
However, if it is absolutely necessary for a student to take medication while at school, the following requirements must be met in accordance with Education Code 49423:
Required Documentation:
A written statement from the physician specifying:
The method of administration
The dosage
The time schedule for the medication
A signed parent/guardian release authorizing school staff to administer the medication as directed.
The medication must be provided in the original pharmacy container, clearly labeled with:
The student’s full name
Name of the medication
Exact dosage and administration instructions
Prescribing physician’s name
Pharmacy or manufacturer information
⚠️ This policy also applies to over-the-counter medications (e.g., aspirin, eye drops, cough drops, etc.).
Annual Renewal:
Medication authorization forms must be renewed at the beginning of each school year. Forms are available in the school office.
For the safety of all students, no medication will be administered without proper documentation.
If you have questions or need assistance completing the necessary forms, please contact the school office.
The health and well-being of our students are a top priority. Health services at our school are provided under the supervision of a qualified school nurse, in collaboration with school staff and families to support student wellness.
Available Services Include:
Vision screenings
Hearing tests
First aid for minor injuries
Health counseling and wellness education
Support in managing chronic health conditions (as outlined in student care plans)
The school nurse is also available to discuss health concerns related to your child and can help coordinate care with your child’s physician when needed.
Nurse Availability:
The school nurse maintains a regular schedule and is also available for urgent or emergency requests.
Please contact the school office for current scheduling information or to request assistance in a health-related matter.
Working together, we can help ensure that every student is healthy, safe, and ready to learn.
State law requires that children be excluded from school for the following reasons:
Contagious health problem.
Lack of immunizations except when having a waiver.
Children with head lice will be excluded from school until the hair has been treated and ALL of the eggs (nits) have been removed.
Consistent communication between home and school is essential for supporting student success. We believe that teachers and parents share the responsibility for maintaining open and effective communication about student performance.
Formal Reporting Procedures Include:
Back to School Night:
An evening event for parents to visit classrooms and learn about the curriculum, grade-level expectations, classroom schedules, discipline, and homework policies for the school year.
Parent-Teacher Conferences:
Scheduled conferences will be held for the parents of each child to discuss academic and social progress. If the scheduled time is not convenient, please contact the school to arrange an alternative.
Report Cards:
Issued at the end of each school session to provide a formal record of student achievement. Additional conferences may be scheduled as needed.
Informal Reporting:
Informal communication may occur at any time. If you have questions or concerns, we encourage you to contact your child’s teacher. Scheduling an appointment in advance is recommended to ensure availability.