Listed below you will find some of the most commonly asked questions that we receive and the current answers.  If you have a question that is not included below, please feel free to call our office at (760)944-4344.

Click on the following questions to read the answers or just scroll down the page.  The answers to the questions will appear at the top of screen.

What are the school hours?
Is it possible to tour the classrooms and school?
Do you have an Internet site or web page?
How do I register my child?
How old does my child have to be to start kindergarten?
Is there any screening or testing of incoming kindergarten students?
Is there a half-day kindergarten schedule offered?
How will my child's progress be reported during the school year?
Can I request a specific teacher for my child?
How much homework is assigned?
How are school-wide/classroom rules addressed and what are the consequences for students?
Is there a school dress code or policy?
Are students allowed to have cell phones at school?
Are families allowed to volunteer in their children's classrooms?
Will intra or inter district transfers be accepted?
Does Park Dale Lane have a modified day?
Does Park Dale Lane have the same school calendar as other District schools?
Is before and after school daycare available?
Are there enrichment classes available?
Is bus service available?
Is a daily hot lunch program available?
Is music and physical education available?
Can students check out books in the library?
Is computer technology available?
Does Park Dale Lane offer special education services and other support?
Are Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) services available?
Which middle school will my child go to for seventh grade?

Q:  What are the school hours?

A:  Students are allowed on the playground beginning at 7:45 A.M.  Classes begin at 8:00 A.M.  School is dismissed at 2:20 P.M. Monday - Thursday, and at 12:45 P.M. on Friday.  Office hours are 7:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Click here to see the school's bell schedule.
Click here to see the school's office hours.

Q:  Is it possible to tour the classrooms and school?

A:  Yes, school and classroom tours are available for families new to Park Dale Lane.  Tours consist of meeting with the principal to discuss school programs and then taking a brief look inside the classrooms.  Tours usually take place in the mornings before lunch recess.  If your children already attend Park Dale Lane, families have the option to observe only in their current children's classrooms.  Tours are not available for existing families to observe for next year's class placements.  Please contact the school office to schedule a time for a tour.

Q:  Do you have an Internet site or web page?

A:  Yes.  The school's Internet address is:  www.eusd.net/pd.

Q:  How do I register my child?

A:  Families new to Park Dale Lane may register their children between the hours of 9:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.   You will need your child's birth certificate and immunization record, along with proof of residency in the school attendance area in order to register your child.
Click here for additional information about registration.

Q:  How old does my child have to be to start kindergarten?

A:  Kindergarten students need to be five years old by December 2 to enroll.
Click here for more information about kindergarten.

Q:  Is there any screening or testing of incoming kindergarten students?

A:  No.  When you register your student, you will have the opportunity to complete a pupil information form to tell us about your child’s learning style.  This information will help in determining class placement.

Q:  Is there a half-day kindergarten schedule offered?

A:  No.  The Encinitas Union School District offers a full day kindergarten program at all of its schools.  The school day is 8:00 A.M. to 2:20 P.M. Monday through Thursday and 8:00 A.M. to 12:45 P.M. on Fridays.  Students who are picked up early will miss instruction time and may have to make up missed assignments.

Q:  How will my child's progress be reported during the school year?

A:  There are three official reporting periods during the school year.  Goal Setting Conferences occur at the end of September.  At the Goal Setting Conferences, teachers will discuss assessment data that will be used to help determine goals for the school year.  The first reporting period ends in late November/early December, the second ends in March, and the last occurs in June.  Report cards are sent home in December, the second report card is discussed at the March conference and the third is sent home to families on the last day of school in June.  Students will receive "rubric scores", i.e., 1,2,3,4 with 4 being Advanced,  3 for Proficient, 2 for Basic and 1 for Below Basic.  "O" for Outstanding, "S" for  Satisfactory, "N" for Needs Improvement, "U" (Unsatisfactory) are earned in the Life Skills areas.  In addition to the rubric and Life Skills scores, fourth - sixth grade students will receive letter grades (ABCDF) in language arts and math for work quality (neatness) and turning work in on time.  All rubric scores relate to how students are meeting or exceeding academic standards set by the State of California.  Some teachers may send home progress reports before official reporting periods.
Click here for information about the report card.
Click here to read curriculum standards.

Q:  Can I request a specific teacher for my child? 

A:  We do not encourage specific requests for teachers.  The principal and the school staff try to match students' learning styles with teachers' teaching styles.  A pupil information form may be requested in the spring if you would like to give the principal information to consider when placing your child.

Q:  How much homework is assigned?

A:  The amount of homework will vary from grade level to grade level.  Homework should be a review of the day and not be a new concept that parents have to teach to their children at home.  Homework also includes unfinished work from the school day and recreational reading.  Teachers will typically communicate their expectations for homework in the beginning of the school year.
Click here to read the homework policy.

A:  Classroom rules vary depending on grade levels and teachers.  Teachers communicate to parents and students classroom rules at the beginning of the school year.  Consequences for not following classroom rules vary but may include students being given a warning, timeout at recess, telephone call/note home to parents, student meet with the principal.  Severe behavior may result in suspension as per the Education Code.  Each behavior incident is handled on an individual case basis.
Click here for school-wide rules.

A:  Yes.  Click here to read the Dress and Grooming Policy.

Q.  Are students allowed to have cell phones at school?

A.  Yes.  Cell phones are to be used only in emergency situations (calling home during dismissal to let parents know the student's location, calling to be picked up after school).  Cell phones need to be turned off while students are at school (during instructional and recess times) and may be turned on during dismissal.  Cell phones are not to be used in classrooms during instructional times unless the classroom teacher gives permission.  Cell phones are also not to be used during recess times.

A:  Volunteering in your children's classrooms is highly recommended and encouraged.  Teachers will typically let families know at Back-to-School Night in August what their policies are regarding parent involvement.  Families are also encouraged to become involved with the following school groups:

Park Dale Lane PTA
School Site Council (SSC)
Encinitas Educational Foundation (EEF).

A:  It depends. Intra district transfers (within the school district) have priority over inter district transfers (between school districts).  Space availability in grade levels is the next determining factor. Transfers need to be renewed each year.  A transfer can be revoked during the school year if a student’s behavior and/or attendance is not appropriate.  Intra district transfer forms are available in our school office and inter district transfer forms are available at the district office in the school district in which you reside.
Click here to see a map showing the Park Dale Lane School Attendance Area.

If your sixth grade child is attending Flora Vista on an inter district transfer, you will have to apply for a new transfer to attend seventh grade in the San Dieguito Union High School District .  Sixth grade students who have been granted permission to attend Flora Vista on inter district transfers are not guaranteed admission to attend either middle school (Diegueño, Oak Crest) for seventh grade.

Q:  Does Park Dale Lane have a modified day?

A:  Yes.  Every Friday is a modified day.  Dismissal is at 12:45 P.M.  The early-out time allows the school staff to participate in professional development and planning activities that supports the school plan to improve student achievement.  In addition to the Friday Modified Day, there are two weeks during the school year that are designated for parent - teacher conferences.  The first week is in the fall and second week is in the spring.  Each day during conference week students are dismissed at 12:45 P.M.
Click here to see the Friday Modified Day Bell Schedule.

Q:  Does Park Dale Lane have the same school calendar as other District schools?

A:  Yes.  Starting, ending days and legal holidays are same throughout the district.  The PTA calendar may differ from other schools depending on special programs.  Click on the following for the school, district (PDF File), or PTA calendars.

Click here for the Park Dale Lane Calendar. 
Click here for the District Calendar.
Click here for the PTA Calendar.

To view the District Calendar, Adobe Acrobat Reader software is required.

Q:  Is before and after school daycare available?

A:  Yes.  The Encinitas Union School District provides a Before and After School Daycare and Enrichment Program on site.  After school enrichment classes are also scheduled.  Classes may include chess, art, and music.  Fliers are sent home throughout the year announcing classes.
Click here for more information about Before/After School Daycare.

Q:  Are there enrichment classes available?

A:  Yes.  The Encinitas Union School District offers enrichment classes through its Before/After School Enrichment Program.  Various classes are offered throughout the year such as art, martial arts, movement and dance, science, and sports.  Fliers are sent home throughout advertising classes. This is a fee-based program and is separate from the district's daycare program.

Q:  Is bus service available?

A:  It depends.  Bus service to and from school is not provided on a daily basis.  Students either walk, ride bicycles, or are driven to and from school by parents.  Students who ride bicycles to and from school need to follow traffic rules and also wear a safety approved helmet.

Q:  Is a daily hot lunch program available?

A:  Yes.  Hot lunch is available every day, including on the Friday modified day.  The cost is $2.50 per lunch.  Snacks are also available for an additional charge.  Menus are sent home each month or are available on the district's web site.
Click here for more information about hot lunch.

Q:  Is music and physical education available?

A:  Yes.  During the 2009 - 2010 school year, we will be fortunate to have a music consultant hired to provide additional music classes separate from what the regular classroom teachers provide.  This program is being being funded through the efforts of our PTA and the Encinitas Educational Foundation (EEF).  PE, or physical education, is taught by the regular classroom teachers and has mandated instructional minutes (200 minutes every 10 days mandated by the State of California).

Q:  Can students check out books in the library?

A:  Yes.  Park Dale Lane has a fully-stocked library/media center that is available to kindergarten - sixth grade.  Classes visit the library/media center each week to check out books.

Q:  Is computer technology available?

A:  Yes.  All classrooms have Internet access thanks to passage of Proposition O, a school modernization project.  Each classroom will have up to seven networked computers.  Students also have access to a networked computer lab located next to the library/media center and a mobile lab of 32 laptop computers.  Students use the computer labs to learn keyboarding skills, conduct research, complete projects and complete on-line district benchmark assessments.

Q:  Does Park Dale Lane offer special education services and other support?

A:  Yes.  There are several special education services available at Park Dale Lane for special needs students.  Individual Education Program (IEP) plans are available for those students who qualify for special education.  For those students who have an articulation challenge, Speech and Language Program services are available and for the academic areas, there is a Resource Specialist Program (RSP) available.  Other services include an after school intervention class that assists students who are having challenges in the areas of language arts and math.   English Language Development (ELD) is available for those students identified as English Learners.  A Time for Kids program funded through the Early Mental Health Initiative is available to kindergarten - third grade students.  The San Dieguito Alliance for Drug Free Youth supports an after school program called Study Buddy where local high school students help our students with homework and also act as mentors.  The Student Success Team (SST) and 504 Accommodation Plan processes are also available and are part of regular education services.
Click here for EUSD information about special education services.

Q:  Are Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) services available?

A:  Yes.  Fourth - sixth grade students can be identified GATE based upon STAR test scores (Advanced on English/Language Arts and Math CST), Ravens Progressive Matrices (98%) and a portfolio of student work.  Identified GATE students will be placed in clusters in fourth - sixth grade classrooms.  Teachers have attended professional development activities focusing on the latest brain research information and are also differentiating the curriculum to meet the needs of their GATE and Advancing Learner students.  Enrichment opportunities are provided to all students and is supported by the school's plan for student achievement.
Click here for more information about GATE.
Click here for the GATE Parent Handbook.  (To view the handbook, Adobe Acrobat Reader software is required.)

Q:  Which middle school will my child go to for seventh grade?

A:  Sixth grade students at Park Dale Lane who live within the Park Dale Lane attendance area and who are promoted on to seventh grade will attend Diegueño Middle School or Oak Crest Middle School.  Diegueño and Oak Crest are part of the San Dieguito Union High School District, a 7th - 12th grade middle school/high school district.  Both middle schools have been recognized as California Distinguished Schools and have also been recognized in the National Blue Ribbon School Awards Program.

Inter District Transfers for Middle School

If your child is attending Park Dale Lane on an inter district transfer (between districts) for sixth grade, you will have to apply for a new inter district transfer for seventh grade in the San Dieguito Union High School District.  Students who have been granted permission to attend Park Dale Lane on inter district transfers are not guaranteed admission to the middle schools in the San Dieguito Union High School District.

If you have further questions, please contact the school office, (760)944-4344.