Frequently Asked QuestionsIf You’ve Got Questions, We’ve Got the Answers!

• What time does school start and end?
• Can I drop off my children early/pick them up late?
• What should I do if my child has to miss school?
• What if my child is late or has to leave in the middle of the school day?
• Is there a dress code at Ganado Primary?
• Does Ganado Primary provide transportation to and from school?
• Can my child eat breakfast and/or lunch at school?

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What time does school start and end?

School begins daily at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 3:05 p.m. Buses will depart from the main campus around 3:20 p.m.

We schedule professional development days on the Wednesdays indicated on the school calendar. On these days, school will begin two hours later than usual, with classes starting at 10:00 a.m. sharp.

Can I drop off my children early/pick them up late?

Our staff begins playground supervision at 7:30 a.m. For this reason, we ask for your cooperation and assistance by not bringing your children to school before 7:30 a.m. This will help ensure the safety of all students.

There is no staff supervision on the playground after school. Primary school students must leave school grounds when school is over. We do not permit students to remain at school unless they obtain prior approval from the principal.

What should I do if my child has to miss school?

Absences are either excused or unexcused. We will excuse an absence when the student is ill or if there’s an illness or death in the family. Severe weather, certain religious observances, and days of significant cultural importance can also result in an excused absence. If the student wishes to get credit for work missed because of an excused absence, then the student must make up the work within two weeks of the last day of the absence. However, it’s important for parents and students to realize that the paper and pencil activity at school is only one aspect of education and that an absence can never truly be made up.

All students must bring a note from home or contact the office after an absence from school. Neglecting to bring a note or failing to contact the office after an absence will result in an unexcused absence.

Please be aware that absences, excused or unexcused, in excess of 20 days are considered excessive and may result in an administrator or teacher recommending a student’s retention in that grade and/or referral to social services.

We do not penalize students who participate in school-sponsored activities for absences caused by those activities, but they are still required to make up all missed work.

What if my child is late or has to leave in the middle of the school day?

Tardiness without satisfactory explanation shall be grounds for disciplinary action and we will notify parents.

Our staff will not allow anyone other than parents and/or legal guardians to sign students out of school unless the other party presents a written parental statement which authorizes and describes a specific person to pick up the child and which includes the signature and contact number of the parent/guardian. We will only release the student to the person identified in that written statement. We ask that parents who need to check out students during the school day to do so during recesses, lunchtime, and during other class breaks to minimize classroom interruptions.

Is there a dress code at Ganado Primary?

Our governing board recognizes that appropriate clothing worn by students and healthy grooming practices contribute to the accomplishment of curriculum goals and the district's educational program. The board shall endeavor not to interfere with the rights of students and guardians to make decisions regarding personal dress and grooming practices, except when the choices affect the curriculum goals, the educational program of the district, or the health, safety, or general welfare of students and others.

We encourage students to take pride in their attire as it relates to the school setting. In general, the following dress conditions violate the district’s dress code:

• Apparel that presents a hazard to the health, safety, or general welfare of students in the school. Students must wear footwear at all times. Students should not wear jewelry that presents a safety hazard to self or others.
• Attire that materially interferes with the school environment or creates disorder, i.e. clothing that represents gang membership.
• Garments that cause disruption to the learning process.
• Clothing and apparel that display obscene language or symbols.
• Clothing that exposes the chest, abdomen, genital area, or buttocks. No spaghetti strap tops or mini-skirts. We do not permit short cut-offs more than five inches above the knee.
• Caps or hoods (hoodies) inside the school building unless it is part of treatment under the care of doctor.
• Chains on clothing or chains worn loosely.

Does Ganado Primary provide transportation to and from school?

We are proud to provide safe, reliable transportation to and from school for students who need bus services. We ask students to remember that riding the bus is a privilege, not a right. Students riding the bus are under the authority of the bus driver and shall observe the driver's instructions.

Those students choosing to ride the bus must do so each day unless a parent/legal guardian contacts the office to arrange otherwise. Parents who request a change of bus assignment must contact the office in person or in writing. Please ensure that your child has instructions and that you have taken reasonable measures to arrange for supervision once the child gets off the bus. If the bus driver has doubts about the safety of letting a child off at a new stop, that driver will return the child to campus and we will contact you to pick up your child at the school or from the district transportation office.

Can my child eat breakfast and/or lunch at school?

We believe that good nutrition and learning go hand in hand. All of the schools in the Ganado Unified School District provide a variety of affordable, appealing foods that meet the health and nutrition needs of students. The meals, foods, and beverages we serve meet state and federal requirements, based upon on the USDA Dietary Guidelines.

Applications for free and reduced meal benefits are available on the district Food Services page.