Family-Student Handbook
Welcome Letter to Cave Families
Dear Students, Families, and Staff,
Welcome back Cave Language Academy families! We hope you enjoyed a restful and meaningful break. We are incredibly excited to see our students’ smiling faces return to campus and to continue growing together as a TK–8 Spanish Dual Immersion community.
Search for Resources and Guidance
Find important information about arrival and dismissal procedures, safety guidelines, student emergency cards, school-to-home communications, and policies on personal items and school meals.
Consistent attendance and punctuality are essential to your child’s academic and social-emotional success. In the wake of COVID-19 disruptions, it is more important than ever to ensure students are present and on time every day. Find ways to support your child's success and attendance.
Get involved at Cave Language Academy through parent-led programs like PTA, SSC, ELAC, and enrichment opportunities to support student success and school initiatives.
We are happy to welcome parents back on campus and look forward to having you visit and volunteer with us soon. Your support and cooperation make a big difference!
Our goal is to create a nurturing environment that helps students reach their full potential through the development of self-discipline, positive attitudes, and self-responsibility.
The Governing Board of the Vallejo City Unified School District routinely revises and adopts board policies to achieve successful district outcomes and ensure compliance with state and federal codes and regulations.
Explore our before and after-school care options, including Expanded Learning, Child Development programs, and fee-based services offered by GVRD Kids Club.
Learn about our Child Development Programs
Find out how to apply for Expanded Learning
Explore our Expanded Learning Program, which provides valuable out-of-school learning experiences for students, enhancing their academic and social development.
The GVRD Kids Club will continue on site in Room 18. This is a fee-based before-school program. Please make all arrangements through their main office at 395 Amador St., Vallejo, CA 94590, or call 707-648-4600 before school starts. Inform the school office and your child’s teacher if your student will be participating.
VCUSD's Child Development programs provide nurturing environments for early learners, fostering cognitive, social, and emotional growth while supporting families.
To support student safety and maximize learning time, please review the following daily schedules and procedures for arrival, dismissal, and supervision.
Learn about our pick-up procedures to minimize traffic and enhance safety. Get tips on using the loading zone, crosswalks, and more to ensure a smooth dismissal process.
Find essential parking and driving guidelines around the school. Learn about loading zone restrictions, designated staff spaces, and safety practices to ensure a smooth pick-up.
Find important information on picking up TK and kindergarten students. Learn about sign-out procedures, parking guidelines, and dismissal policies to ensure a smooth exit.
Learn how to update your emergency cards and ensure that your contact information is current.
Review guidelines for medication administration at school, including required authorization forms, check-in procedures, and rules for students carrying medication.
Gates must remain closed at all times when school is in session, except for 5 minutes before and after school. Please keep the gates closed when entering and exiting.
Learn how to stay connected with important school updates and resources through ParentSquare and ClassDojo. Keep your contact information current to receive timely communications.
Review the illness attendance guidelines to determine when your child can return to school after experiencing an illness.
Absences from school will be excused only for health reasons, family emergencies, and justifiable personal reasons, as permitted by law, Board policy, and administrative regulations (Education Code 48205).
Students who need to leave school after the day has begun must check out at the office with the secretary. To minimize classroom interruptions, parents will not be allowed to sign students out during the last 15 minutes of class without medical or dental appointment verification, as this time is crucial for teachers to provide homework instructions.
Short-term independent study may be available when students cannot participate in site-based instruction for five or more consecutive days during the school year, but it does not exceed 15 days. Except in emergencies, parents/guardians must submit a short-term independent study application to the school principal at least two weeks prior to the first day of absence. Applications are available in the office.
Understanding tardiness is essential for maintaining classroom schedules. Learn about our tardy policy, including consequences for excessive lateness.
According to Education Code 48260 (a), any pupil who is absent from school without a valid excuse for three full days in one school year, or is tardy or absent for more than 30 minutes during the school day without a valid excuse on three occasions in one school year, or any combination thereof, is considered a truant.
Cave Language Academy, as a California K-12 public school, is eligible for participation in Title I categorical funding, which provides additional funds to enhance students’ learning experiences.
Cave Language Academy forms an English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) to support our English learners. Discover how parents can get involved!
Email our Office to learn how you can get involved with ELAC
Join the Cave Language Academy Parent Teacher Association (PTA)! Contribute to fundraising efforts and support projects that benefit our students. Get involved today!
Explore exciting after-school enrichment classes led by parent and community volunteers, offering sports, arts, STEM, and more. Join us in supporting our school garden!
Visitors are welcome to observe classrooms but are encouraged to provide 24-hour notice to minimize disruptions to classroom instruction. Remember, visitors must sign in at the office and pick up a badge/sticker while on campus.
We invite all volunteers to join in the effort to create a safe and inviting learning environment that provides enriching opportunities for all students. Please note, we do not allow volunteers during the first two weeks of school to give students and teachers time to bond and create community.
Parents are requested to call the school office to schedule appointments with teachers or the principal, ensuring the meeting doesn't conflict with existing schedules.
Discover our policies for maximizing academic success. Classes remain uninterrupted during core instruction, with emergency interruptions as the only exception."
We are a uniform school, as voted by our families and approved by the VCUSD Board of Education in 2012. By wearing school uniforms, students become part of a team, fostering a greater sense of identity and belonging while promoting academic excellence.
Discover our uniform policy: solid polo shirts and specific colors for bottoms ensure a focused learning environment. Please review for details!
Review our uniform policy. Students must wear collared polo shirts and specific bottoms, with no jeans or crop tops allowed. Check for details!
See how to earn a Free Dress Day by notifying the office! Passes are valid on Fridays only. Dress code applies—ensure clothing is safe for play and P.E. activities.
Find details on acceptable clothing for students, including uniform options, sweater guidelines, and shoe requirements for physical education.
Cave logo spirit wear (Cave logo T-shirts, sweatshirts, etc.) may be worn every Friday. Spirit Days are on the last Friday of each month and may include themes such as Sports Day or Crazy Hat/Hair Day.
Learn about our positive feedback system, guidelines for consequences, and how we promote a supportive school environment.
Learn about our school-wide behavior expectations and positive rewards system developed by the PBIS team to foster a supportive learning environment.
Discover how our Restorative Justice principles promote accountability, community safety, and competency development to address conflict and strengthen relationships.
Explore how the Leader in Me model nurtures leadership skills and a positive school culture while supporting the whole child's growth for lasting academic success.
Review the process of filing a complaint with our Complaint Coordinator and Principal, lhernandez@vcusd.org. If you feel targeted based on sex, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion, report it to any staff member.
Review Board Policy 5145.3: Discrimination, harassment, or bullying is prohibited. Report incidents to staff. Your safety and well-being are our priorities.
Review Board Policy 5145.7: Sexual harassment is prohibited. Report incidents to school staff immediately. Your safety is our priority, and investigations will follow.
Review the district's policy regarding married, pregnant, and parenting students. You can also view all VCUSD Board policies.
As a collaborative learning community, our vision is to prepare every student academically to become bilingual and biliterate in Spanish and English, with a positive multicultural perspective rooted in strong self-esteem. This foundation will prepare students for college or career and equip them to succeed in a global market.
Our mission is to work together with families to provide our diverse learners the opportunity to achieve academic excellence in two languages, meet A–G requirements in high school, and advance toward career and college.
We celebrate culture, engage families, and promote equity to ensure high attendance, bilingual academic success, and a safe, supportive school community. View our core values and goals.
To minimize distractions and maintain a focused learning environment, personal items from home are not allowed at school. View our policies.
Please check the cafeteria lost and found regularly, and label your student’s belongings to help ensure items are returned. View our lost and found policy.