FAQ / New Family Guide
Welcome to the Peralta Community. Here you’ll find a few quick answers to some common questions.
How do I find out what’s happening at Peralta?
You'll automatically receive the e-mail newsletter called the Peralta Post. If you’re not already receiving it and would like to, sign up here.
ParentSquare & Konstella
ParentSquare is used for district and some school communications. Peralta primarily communicates with parents through Konstella because of the additional features this program offers. Please sign up for Konstella. Here’s how:
Go to www.konstella.com
In the upper right hand corner, click on ‘Find your school’.
Enter in ‘Peralta Elementary’ and select Peralta Elementary from the list. You’ll see a checkbox appear. Click on Next.
Fill in all information on the page and click on Submit. If your classroom has not been assigned yet, please leave the Classroom field blank.
You will get notified via email when your profile has been verified.
If you have a smartphone, download the Konstella app (apple and android versions are available).
How do I get my child into Peralta?
The first priorities for school assignments go to siblings of Peralta students and to children who live in Peralta’s attendance area (check OUSD’s School Finder). All applications are handled through OUSD’s options process, which begins in the fall. Tours for prospective families will be held during the options period. Click here to learn more.
How big is Peralta?
Peralta is a small school, but with over 350 children and 14 classrooms, we are at maximum capacity for our 63rd Street campus. There are two to three classes for each grade level, with a few mixed-grade classes for more flexibility. New for the 2023-24 school year, Peralta will have a TK program located 10 minutes away at the Kaiser Early Childhood Campus.
When does the bell ring?
School begins at 8:30 a.m. Be on time — tardiness disrupts other students’ lessons! Children can be dropped off at 8:20.
Dismissal is at 2:45 pm except on Minimum Days, when the final bell rings at 1:30 pm. Minimum days are all Wednesdays and a few other days during the weeks close to the holidays and the start and end of school. Check the calendar for the holiday and minimum day schedules.
How do I find out who my child’s teacher will be?
Classroom assignments will be shared with a legal parent or guardian upon receipt of complete registration packets in August, the week before school starts. Classroom assignments will be shared through the Aeries Parent Portal (OUSD’s student information system). Registration information will be emailed to you.
Is there extended care at Peralta? How do I sign up?
Peralta has a sliding scale after-school program designed to serve all families regardless of income or scheduling needs. Peralta does not currently offer before school care. P.E.A.C.E. (Peralta’s Enriching and Creative Environment) offers care from the end of the school day (minimum or regular) to 6 p.m. after-school. A variety of enrichment classes are offered, along with homework time and unstructured play options. Click here for more details on P.E.A.C.E., as well as class schedules, registration forms and fee structure.
How can I get to know the Peralta Community?
Come to Peralta events! All are welcome at the Walkathon, the Welcoming Dinner, the Peralta Auction, and the Peralta in Bloom Springfest. Check the website pages for more details as those events approach. Garden Work Days are generally held on the first Saturday of every month from 9am - 1pm. They are a great place to meet people: parents work, and the kids have a big playdate on the yard (occasionally pulling weeds or clipping vines). Parents often bring snacks and we always have coffee on hand. Nothing says, "Get gardening!" like coffee... Check the calendar for details. Or stick around for a Peralta Brewing Community morning: a post-drop off coffee (half-hour) where parents/caregivers gather monthly to hang out without kids.
How do I join the Peralta Parent Teacher Group (PPTG)?
If you are part of a Peralta family, you are already a member! Parents, caregivers, and school staff are all welcome, and no dues are required. Meetings are the first Wednesday of most months from 6pm - 7:30pm. (Check the calendar.) Meetings are held at Peralta, with kid-friendly dinner, often cooked by the children in the after-care program (under adult supervision!) and childcare provided. Meetings will be held on zoom if conditions warrant.
You haven’t answered my question. Who can?
School phone number: 510-879-3145
General questions, Back to School Forms: Irma Sanchez-Salmeron, Administrative Assistant (connect with her on Konstella)
Attendance, Absences: Asha Washington, Attendance Specialist, asha.washington@ousd.org
After School Program, Family Support: Sherice Tyler-Brown, sherice.t-brown@ebac.org
PPTG: Beenish Kahn, PPTGchair@peraltaschool.org
New Family Basics
Welcome new families!
No doubt you have many questions as you enter Peralta for the first time. On this page, we attempt to demystify some of the language/culture/procedures that have baffled others before you. If you have more questions, don’t hesitate to ask someone!
COMMON ABBREVIATIONS
PPTG: Peralta Parent Teacher Group (like a PTA). If you are at Peralta, you are a member!
PPTG-LC: Peralta Parent Teacher Group Leadership Council. A group of parents/caregivers that meets to set meeting agendas and work on a wide array of school initiatives. More information…
P.E.A.C.E: Peralta’s Enrichment and Creative Environment (after school program). More information…
SSC: School Site Council. A group of parents, staff and teachers that meets monthly to review the school site budget. The school district requires every school to have a School Site Council.
CST: California Standards Tests. Standardized testing begins in 2nd grade.
ORIENTATION
The Kindergarten classrooms and adjoining courtyard is referred to as the Kindergarten Pod, or K-Pod for short. It is just north of the school office. Each classroom has a sink and drinking fountain. The K-Pod has its own bathroom that the classes share. There is a small playground and garden just for K classes on the back side of the K-Pod. Kindergartners also use the full yard and larger play structures for recess.
Please make sure you are signed up for Konstella.
The office has mail slots on the wall to your right as you enter, where you can leave correspondence for teachers and staff, PPTG and P.E.A.C.E.
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
School starts at 8:30 AM and lets out at 1:30 PM the first week of school for all grades. Kindergarten students continue the minimum day schedule for an additional two weeks (so the first 3 weeks of school). After that dismissal is at 2:45 PM every day except Wednesdays, when school lets out at 1:30 PM.
What students should and should not bring to school:
All students should bring the following things daily:
Backpack big enough to hold a 9x12 inch folder (reach out to the main office if you need one)
Water bottle labeled with name
Layered, labeled clothing for inside and outside activities
Shoes appropriate for PE
A snack (if in kindergarten)
What Peralta provides:
All school supplies and curricular materials
Breakfast and lunch (Students may also bring food from home to be eaten at these times.) Please label food containers.
What to leave at home:
Cell phones (If you wish for your child to have a cell phone, please let their teacher know. It must be turned off and kept in a backpack during the school day. Loss or damage is not the responsibility of the school.)
Toys, video games, sports equipment etc. (unless given permission by a teacher in advance)
Kindergarten Playdates
Over the summer the PPTG organizes a series of playdates for incoming families at Colby Park and if scheduling allows, on campus. It’s a great chance for your child to make friends so they get to see some familiar faces on the first day of school and a chance for parents to do the same! Watch your email for more information.
COVID SAFETY
Safety is always a top priority at Peralta. Using scientifically-backed CDC, state, and county guidelines, we continue to have Covid-related safety precautions in place.
Peralta follows OUSD protocols on masking. Masks are currently optional.
Social distancing is no longer required.
Hand washing and sanitizing will be strongly encouraged.
Every classroom and shared space has two air purifiers and is well ventilated. We will also continue to use our outdoor classrooms and spaces when possible.
All students and staff are expected to be responsible to keep a clean and safe learning environment.
Any family member or other adult visiting the campus must enter at the main entrance and check-in at the office.
Free Covid testing is available to all students and staff.
More details can be found here.
SCHEDULE
Students should not come to school before 8:20 AM, when formal yard supervision begins. However, the Peralta bell system may vary a few minutes late or fast. It’s best to aim on the early side to arrive by 8:30 AM.
When the first bell rings, all the kids (and parents too, please) freeze and stop talking. There are sometimes welcoming announcements. After that, the teacher on yard duty blows a whistle and the kids walk to their line.
The line numbers are painted on the blacktop outside the library. Teacher and/or teacher’s aide will come to the front of the line to lead kids into class.
On Monday mornings there is a short all school assembly - students meet their class on the basketball courts and parents are welcome to stay.
Bells ring to indicate the start or end of class, recess or lunch. There is a different schedule for Kindergarten classes, lower and upper grades, so bells ring all day long and don’t always apply to your child’s class. Your child’s teacher will instruct them when it’s time to go to recess or back to class. Kindergarteners aren’t generally on the yard at the same time the upper classes are.
DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP
Many families walk or bike to school, and we encourage families to do so if possible. If you are coming on foot or (non-car) wheels, you may use any of the school entrances: 63rd Street, North Street, Alcatraz, and Dana Street. There are bicycle racks by Portable Classroom A (closest to Alcatraz Avenue entrance).
Do’s and Don’ts for Drop Off Time if you are driving...
Please DO use the drop-off zone on Dana Street- Access drop-off zone southbound from Alcatraz on Dana or westbound on North Street.
Please don’t U-turn on Dana St.
Please don’t double park.
Please don’t park in the drop-off zone
Please don’t drop off by car on 63rd street, there is a lot of foot traffic by that entrance.
Please don’t drop off in the crosswalk. Wait until there’s a spot in the drop-off zone.
Remember that if you arrive between 8:25-8:35 there will be heavy pedestrian and auto traffic, and you may need to wait longer to safely drop off.
Please do not park in the staff parking lot on 63rd. The Pet Food Express lot is available on Telegraph before 9 AM.
In the event of rain, give yourself extra time to be safe.
If your child is not going to the after-school program, you are expected to pick them up promptly at dismissal (or make other arrangements). Lower-grade teachers (K/1) will stay with children for a few minutes after the bell, or escort them to the office, until a caregiver shows up. However, dismissal time can be chaotic, so please be on time or make arrangements with another parent!
If your child is in an after school program, they will be supervised until 6:00 PM. Please check in with the program staff and use the sign-out sheet in Portable Classroom A (closest to Alcatraz Avenue) when taking your child home.
P.E.A.C.E. (Peralta’s Enriching And Creative Environment)
Peralta’s extended care program, P.E.A.C.E., offers enrichment classes and unstructured play time. Popular classes include gardening, origami, cooking and dance. You may submit an application for three to five days each week. Applications for incoming families will be available over the summer, applications for current families are available in the spring. The P.E.A.C.E coordinator is Sherice Tyler, who may be reached by email or phone at (510) 502-4138.
Starting in 2018-2019, P.E.A.C.E. attendance will be capped at 140, with priority going to families needing care five days per week. P.E.A.C.E. is unable to serve families needing only one day of care per week.
On the first day, come by after school to show your child where to line up for the after school program, or arrange with another parent to help them find their way. It’s really busy with some kids going home and some staying, parents lingering and the after school programs getting underway. Kindergarten students are picked up directly from their classroom by a member of the P.E.A.C.E. staff.
Visit the P.E.A.C.E page for more information about P.E.A.C.E and enrollment forms.
CLASSROOM VOLUNTEERING and FIELD TRIPS
Before you can volunteer in the classroom or as a field trip driver, you need to meet Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) guidelines, which can be found here. Volunteer clearance can take several weeks. Consider starting now.
Parent volunteering varies a bit from class to class but in general, your child will bring a permission slip home prior to each field trip (anywhere from a couple weeks to the day before). Field trips usually require the kids to wear comfortable shoes for walking and bring lunch in an easily carried disposable container. The permission slip will provide details. Sometimes transportation is provided by bus, and other times by parent volunteers in private cars. If your child is being transported in someone else’s car, bring a car seat / booster if necessary. If you drive on field trips, you’ll be required to carry automobile insurance and have been cleared by OUSD.
MEETING WITH YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER
In late August or early September, there is a “Back to School Night” for parents only (no school-aged kids) to visit their child’s class or connect via Zoom and hear about expectations and schoolwork from the teacher. For the 2024-25 school year, Back to School Night will be held on Wednesday, August 28th. This is a great opportunity to get to know the teacher. In May, there is an open house for parents and students; at this point you’ll know the teacher, so the focus is on seeing your child’s art and other schoolwork and even checking out the other classrooms to see what environment they’ll be in the following year.
Conferences
There are parent-teacher conferences before Thanksgiving and Spring Break where you will meet with your child’s teacher one on one to get an update on their progress. At these 15-minute conferences you’ll receive a formal progress report. Your child’s report card will be viewable online on the Aeries Parent Portal (OUSD’s student information system). Final progress reports are sent via Konstella.
You may want to ask the teacher how your child is doing or raise concerns at other times. You can schedule an appointment at any time during the year. You can email your child’s teacher, message them through Konstella, call your child’s teacher, leave a message in their mail slot (in the office), or arrange an appointment at drop-off / pick-up. Another way to learn what’s going on, in between formal conferences and appointments, is to volunteer in your child’s class from time to time.
ROOM PARENTS
Each class needs a few room parents. Room parents gather contact information for families in the class, pass along messages from the teacher (e.g., dates for field trips, information about class parties), take up a collection for teacher appreciation day and year-end gifts, and help coordinate other class events such as the class contribution to the Spring auction. Interested in being a room parent? Look for the signup information during the first week of school. To connect with your room parent check Konstella.
VISITING CAMPUS
Please use the main (63rd Street) entrance. Sign in at the office when you arrive and sign out when you leave. Don’t interrupt classes and activities or visit the class unless you’ve signed up in advance to help in the classroom. Lunchtime is a good time to make a short visit. You get to know the kids in your child’s class and encourage them to eat. Contact the office or your student’s teacher to find a good time to visit for lunch.
COMMUNICATIONS
Official communications from the Principal, the office and the PPTG arrive weekly via Konstella.
You’ll receive a folder filled with communications from the school administration and PPTG the first day of school. This is YOUR HOMEWORK! Read through it all, sign off that you’ve received it and put any forms needing to be returned in the folder. Send this to school with your child. Their teacher will collect it from them.
BIRTHDAYS
Birthdays are important moments for young children. We DO want your child to feel special and happy on their birthday. In order to celebrate, many parents want to bring in cupcakes or candy for their child's classmates. This is not necessary at school, and with allergies (ie: nuts, gluten, dairy, eggs) this creates a health/safety concern for some of our children. We are not allowed to give food to students that aren't cleared through our district's food services department. If you feel you have to bring something on your child's birthday, please consider some alternatives: pencils, small erasers, stickers, bookmarks, a book for the class library with a “donated by ___” message inside. Thank you so much for your understanding and support.
A word about party invitations: please be cognizant of the hurt feelings that may result if you or your child is handing out invitations and not every child gets one. It’s best to be discreet and hand the invitations to the parents or contact them away from school, unless you’re inviting a whole class.
ILLNESS AND LICE
If your child is going to miss a day of school, please call the office at 510-879-3145 or email our attendance specialist at asha.washington@ousd.org
LOST AND FOUND
Write your child’s name on the tags of their jackets, umbrellas, backpacks, lunch boxes and other loved apparel with a permanent marker. Label label label. We collect many, many clothes in the lost and found by October. Unclaimed items will be donated once or twice a year. Walk by the “lost and found” rack frequently to look things you didn’t realize you had lost! It can be found in the courtyard outside the library.
SCHOOL PICTURES
Your child will have school pictures in Fall and Spring. Instructions to purchase photos will be sent in your child’s backpack, and on Konstella.
To opt out of photos, send a note to your child’s teacher or the school secretary a couple days ahead stating that you’d like to opt out.
TESTING
Kindergartners take some basic “tests” (e.g., letter recognition and sounds) the first month, one-on-one with the teacher, to use as a baseline for showing their improvement by year end. Kindergartners do not take the California Standards Test (CST); that begins in 2nd grade. The CST is the basis for school rankings and Distinguished School Eligibility.
PERALTA PARENT TEACHER GROUP (PPTG)
When the PPTG was formed in 1982, parents decided to become an independent nonprofit, rather than participate in the formal PTA organization. This allows us to maintain our independence and avoid fees and other requirements of the PTA.
Even if you have little time to volunteer, come to PPTG meetings. You belong! Meetings are open to everyone and attending is a great way to learn about special programs, upcoming events, how PPTG funds are budgeted, district-wide matters and to hear from our Principal. You also get to meet other parents and put faces with all the new names you see. Read more here.
SCHOOL DIRECTORY
A directory of students and parent contact information can be found on Konstella (see above). Be sure that you have registered and downloaded the app to your phone. Click here for android and here for apple. We strongly encourage all families to make their contact information viewable within the Peralta community.
WHY SO MUCH VOLUNTEERING AND FUNDRAISING?
The Kindergarten year is a big adjustment for both kids and parents and it can feel overwhelming at times. Parental participation can be very demanding, but it pays off both for the kids and for the social interaction among the parents. Volunteering is fun, lets you meet other families, shows your child that their schooling is important to you, models community activism and much more!
There is a big push with fundraising at the beginning of the year, and people have wondered why there are back-to-back fundraisers right off the bat (The Peralta Fund in September and the Walkathon in October). The primary reason is to secure funds for the upcoming year – payments that need to be made on a monthly basis, even when it’s not a fundraising month.
FIRST GRADE FIELD TRIPS
First grade is a field-trip rich environment. First graders will go on a field trip approximately every month. They'll need a lot of parent support in the form of chaperoning and driving. Please get your OUSD clearance going right away so you are in position to share in all the fun.
Last updated 1/05/2023