August 1, 2025
Dear Harvard School Family,
Welcome Back! We are so glad to have you here at Harvard. Our dedicated teachers and staff have been diligently preparing for the return of our students. Each school year brings new opportunities for your child. As a school we are focused on high expectations, a safe learning environment, and strong partnerships with families. We believe when families, students, teachers work together we will always result in academic success. I welcome you to a new 2025-2026 school year where we will inspire each other and work collaboratively for the success of your child.
First Day of School: Thursday, August 14th
We will post on the front and back gates of students’ classrooms. Please drop off your child at one of the gates and have them line up on the yard. Staff will be available to assist. If you are dropping off multiple students in different grades, choose either gate to enter the campus to alleviate congestion. TK-CC and Kindergarten parents may accompany their child to the auditorium through Beverly Blvd. We will introduce the TK and Kindergarten teachers at 8:15 am.
DAILY SCHEDULE
GATE OPENS 7:30 am
- TK-2nd Enter through Harvard Blvd. Main Gate
- 3rd-5th Enter through Kingsley Drive Back Gate
- Students should arrive on campus before 7:55 am
Breakfast 7:30 am - 7:55 am: Breakfast in the lunch pavilion
Instruction Begins 8:00 am Monday through Friday
- PALS (Pre-School for All) Schedule: PALS 9:00 am - 1:30 pm
TK-2nd GRADE Recess: 10:05-10:25 | Lunch: 11:45-12:30
3rd-5th GRADE Recess: 10:30-10:50 | Lunch: 12:10-12:55
Dismissal Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday at 2:28 pm
- Beginning Tuesday, August 19 every Tuesday dismissal will be at 1:28 pm, to provide time for staff to participate in on-going professional development.
- PALS, TK-2nd Exit through Harvard Blvd. Main Gate
- 3rd-5th Enter through Kingsley Drive Back Gate
Please return the Emergency Contact Forms distributed on the first day of school. Please notify the main office if your emergency contact information changes. I look forward to seeing your child at school. If you have questions, please contact the Harvard Elementary office at (323) 953-4540.
DISTRICT/SCHOOL POLICIES
ATTENDANCE / ABSENCES
Attendance is critical for the success and participation of your child. Our goal is for every student to have 96% or above excellent attendance. We encourage students not to miss more than 7 excused absences in a school year. Please schedule doctor appointments to be after school or in some cases students may sign out early for medical appointments. If your child is absent, please notify your child’s teacher or the school by a written note, giving dates and reason for absence.
PARENT STUDENT HANDBOOK: Parents have the option to receive an electronic or physical copy through a survey on the Parent Portal website. Parent Student Handbook will be sent home as soon as we receive them from the District. They are available online as well: lausd.org. Please review the District Policies when you receive the handbook which covers important information about LAUSD programs. Please sign and return the pages requested in the handbook.
CLASS ADJUSTMENT: During the first month of school, room changes may be made due to the rise or fall of school enrollment. You will be notified of any classroom changes involving your child.
CLASSROOM PARTIES: In accordance with the District’s policy on maximizing the instructional time/program, the following are the classroom party guidelines for Harvard Elementary School:
- No classroom birthday parties
- There are two classroom parties allowed each year.
- One party is allowed before winter break and one at the end of the year
- Goodie bags: Small goodie bags with non-edible items are permitted at the end of the day.
EMERGENCY INFORMATION: It is essential that EMERGENCY INFORMATION FORM be filled out for your child. The information is used to contact you or a designated person in the event of your child’s illness, injury or in case of a disaster like an earthquake while your child is in school. We must have 3 different working numbers for you, a relative or neighbor for emergency purposes. Also, you must notify the school of any changes in address or phone numbers within 30 days. For your child’s protection, he/she will only be released before the close of school to persons listed on Emergency Information Card unless authorized by a written note or telephone approval of parents. Children may only be checked out at the Main Office to persons who identify themselves and are authorized.
CLOSED CAMPUS: In order to provide a safe and secure environment for our students and the school community, the Harvard Elementary School is a Closed Campus. A Closed Campus means: (1) Only students, school personnel, and those with official school business will be allowed on school grounds before, during, and after school. (2) Students are not allowed to leave campus at any time without permission from the office. (3) All volunteers must show their identification and sign-in at the main office.
VISITORS ON CAMPUS: All Parents or visitors on campus during the instructional day will be requested to sign-in at the office and receive a Visitors Pass. This Policy is set by the District to provide campus safety.
VOLUNTEER ON CAMPUS: We encourage you to volunteer at Harvard Elementary School! There are many opportunities to get involved, including:
- ELAC and SSC Committees
- Morning and Dismissal Valet Support
- Campus Beautification Projects
- 5th Grade Culmination Activities
- Winter Holiday Program
- And much more!
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Hilda Ayala, our Community Representative, and complete the application at https://volunteerapp.lausd.net/.
BAG LUNCHES: Please have your child(ren) bring his/her bag lunch in the morning when they come to school. Otherwise, bringing them during the school day creates interruption for the student and the school staff. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. In addition, no outside vendors will be allowed to deliver food to the school site.
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM: Youth Services/LA’s Best supervises students on the playground Monday-Friday from 2:28 to 6:00 p.m and Tuesdays from 1:28-6:00 pm.
LA’s Best: https://lasbest.org/application-form | (213) 212-0784
Youth Services (YS): https://bit.ly/BTB-App | (323) 609-4943
Please sign-up at lasbest.org or call (213) 212-0784 or for YS (323) 609-4934 if you are interested in this program.