Beacon Park Handbook

Students under the age of 18 are required by law to attend school for the entire school day. Please notify the office before 8:45 a.m. each day if your child will be absent from school. We maintain a separate line for this purpose. The attendance line is open 24 hours a day, and every absence from school MUST be cleared by a parent or guardian. The phone number for our Attendance Hotline is (949) 936-8401. A doctor’s note should be submitted within three days of the student’s return to school to excuse absences or tardiness.  If the note is not submitted to the attendance clerk or a call is not made within this timeframe, the absence will be unexcused. For absences regarding religious holidays or justifiable personal reasons,  requests are required for Principal approval.

If a student is late to school over 30 minutes, has an unexcused absence from school three times, has an excused absence from school 10 times, or a combination of these, the student may be deemed truant.  Excessive tardiness and absences will be referred to the School Attendance Review Board (SARB).

Students are expected to be in their class at their scheduled time. Please refer to the bell schedule. If the student is tardy to school, they are to report to the office for a tardy slip.  Students must also be on time to all classes as attendance is taken each period. Tardies are recorded on students’ permanent records. 

Lunch may be brought from home. Food delivery such as mobile order, delivery services, & large quantity orders are not allowed (ex. Postmates, Uber Eats, Doordash, etc.). Parent drop off lunches must be at the front office table by 11 am. and students must know to come pick it up on their own.  The front office will not disrupt classes to announce a late lunch drop off.

We enforce a policy of Zero Tolerance, which means that the following violations will result in immediate SUSPENSION or EXPULSION from the Irvine Unified School District.

• Possession of a firearm
• Brandishing a knife
• Sale of Controlled Substance
• Committed or attempted to commit a sexual assault

In addition, the following violations will result in immediate SUSPENSION and a determination of further action that may result in EXPULSION proceedings.

• Serious physical injury to others
• Possession of knives, explosives or other dangerous objects on Possession of controlled substance
• Robbery or extortion
• Assault or battery upon any school employee

The following acts occurring to or from school, at school, or at a school activity may lead to suspension and/or expulsion: 

• Caused, attempted to cause, or threatened to cause physical injury to another person. (48900.a) 
• Possessed, sold or furnished a knife, explosive, or dangerous weapon and/or imitations. (48900.b)
• Possessed, used, sold, furnished, or been under the influence of any controlled substance, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant. (48900.c) 
• Possessed, offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell drug paraphernalia. (48900.j) 
• Committed or attempted to commit robbery or extortion. (48900.e) 
• Caused or attempted to cause damage to school or private property. (48900.f) 
• Stolen or attempted to steal school or private property. (48900.g) 
• Knowingly received stolen school or private property.  Possessed or used tobacco or tobacco products. (48900.h) 
• Committed an obscene act or engaged in habitual profanity or vulgarity. (48900.i) 
• Disrupted school activities or otherwise willfully defied the authority of school personnel. (48900.k) 
• Harassed, threatened, or intimidated a student who is a complaining witness or witness in a school disciplinary proceeding. (48900.o) 
• Committed or attempted to commit a sexual assault, or committed a sexual battery. (48900.n) 
• Committed sexual harassment. (48900.2)

All other education code violations may result in suspension or a recommendation for expulsion depending on the severity of the violation or if other means of correction are not feasible or have repeatedly failed to bring about proper conduct, or that due to the nature of the violation, the presence of the pupil causes a continuing danger to the physical safety of the pupil or others. 

At Beacon Park, we believe in having a safe learning environment and treating each other with respect.Our counseling department, in conjunction with school administration and teachers,  teaches students about our behavior expectations and regularly promotes kindness and anti-bullying strategies through lessons and activities.

No student or group of students shall, through physical, written, verbal, or other means, harass, sexually harass, threaten, intimidate, cyberbully, cause bodily injury to, or commit hate violence against any other student or school personnel. Students who have been bullied or cyberbullied shall promptly report such incidents to any staff member.   

"Bullying" means any severe or pervasive physical or verbal act or conduct, including communication made in writing or by means of an electronic act, and including one or more acts committed by a pupil or group of pupils as defined in Education Code Section 48900.2 (sexual harassment), 48900.3 (hate violence), or 48900.4 (harassment, threats, or intimidation towards school employees), directed toward one or more pupils that has or can be reasonably predicted to have the effect of one or more of the following:

• Placing a reasonable pupil or pupils in fear of harm to that pupil's or those pupils' person or property.
• Causing a reasonable pupil to experience a substantially detrimental effect on his or her physical or mental health.
• Causing a reasonable pupil to experience substantial interference with his or her academic performance.
• Causing a reasonable pupil to experience substantial interference with his or her ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school.

“Cyberbullying” includes the transmission of harassing communications, direct threats, or other harmful texts, sounds, or images on the Internet, social media, or other technologies using a telephone, computer, or any wireless communication device. Cyberbullying also includes breaking into another person's electronic account and assuming that person's identity in order to damage that person's reputation.

Beacon Park is committed to the use of interventions and alternative forms of suspension before a student is suspended for certain education code violations when appropriate.

The Board of Education is committed to maintaining a learning environment free from harassment, intimidation or insult, student-to-student or adult-to-student, on the basis of an individual's actual or perceived sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression. Positive action will be taken when necessary to eliminate such practices or remedy their effects (Board Policy 5145.7).

Sexual harassment, as defined and otherwise prohibited by state and federal statutes, constitutes an unlawful form of sex discrimination in violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In addition, sexual harassment constitutes violation of the California Education Code, regulations of the State Board of Education, and District Policy. As such, sexual harassment may constitute just cause for discipline pursuant to applicable Education Code Sections.

The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries and complaints regarding the sexual harassment policy:

Beacon Park School:

Principal Kris Linville
200 Cultivate
Irvine, CA 92618
(949)936-8405

District Office:

Title IX Coordinator – Keith Tuominen
Director, Secondary Education
5050 Barranca Pkwy
Irvine, CA 92604
(949)936-5047

The Irvine Unified School District and Beacon Park place an emphasis on ethical behavior and academic honesty. At Beacon Park, our learning community requires students to take responsibility for their own personal conduct in both social and academic endeavors.

Core ethical values of honesty, responsibility, compassion, perseverance, respectfulness, cooperation, civic duty, and courage reflect this emphasis.  We expect that all students will complete their own work and complete all assignments and assessments based on their own research, knowledge base and efforts in a manner that fully complies with their teacher’s norms, directives and policies.

Students demonstrate academic honesty by NOT participating in the following actions. These definitions do not represent a complete list of possible infractions; rather, they provide examples of the range of conduct which violates academic honesty expectations.

1. Cheating on Tests - Any use of external assistance relating to an examination, test, or quiz without expressed permission of the teacher. This includes looking at another student's paper, sharing answers, possession of materials, or copying another student's paper.

2. Fabrication - Any intentional falsification or invention of data, citation, or other authority in an academic exercise.

3. Unauthorized Collaboration - Collaboration on an assignment between a student and another person, if such collaboration is not expressly directed or permitted by the teacher. This includes copying another student's work, allowing work to be copied or completing assignments for others, giving or "passing" any assessments to other students for the following year, or receiving any assessments from other students.

4. Plagiarism - Any representation of another's ideas, words, or work as one's own. Plagiarism includes the misuse of published material, electronic material, and/or the work of other students. The original writer who intentionally shares his/her paper for another to copy, without the permission of the teacher, has also engaged in plagiarism.

5. Alteration of Materials - Any intentional and unauthorized alteration of student, teacher, or library instructional or assessment materials. This may include changing answers after the fact.

6. Theft - Any unauthorized taking, concealment, or alteration of student or teacher instructional or assessment materials or equipment, including, but not limited to, the district data network, internet, and other on-line resources.

7. Transfer or Use of Unauthorized Materials - includes the use of unapproved translation devices, or any giving or selling of unauthorized materials. 

8. Digital Citizenship Violations - Per Board Policy 6163.4 (Acceptable Use Policy) Students should refrain from using technological resources for infractions that involve academic dishonesty.  These include using technology to copy, plagiarize, collaborate inappropriately, sending or receiving test questions, accessing another’s account, or hacking into computer systems.

To demonstrate academic honesty, students must:

• Do their own work as directed by a teacher.
• Not take credit for work done by anyone else.
• Refuse to aid any form of academic dishonesty.
• Understand the difference between collaboration and cheating (if you don’t, ask your teacher!) and collaborate with others in a way that is permissible.

Students who violate the academic honesty policy may have the following consequences:

• Zero on the assignment, or a make-up for partial credit (teacher discretion).
• Parent notification by the teacher and referral to the Assistant Principal.
• Reflective assignment to be turned into the Assistant Principal.
• Violations may affect honors recommendation for the next grade level.
• An “F” in the course for multiple violations in the same course during the same trimester.

It shall be the judgment and responsibility of teachers to determine whether an academic dishonesty violation has occurred.

The full academic honesty policy can be found on the IUSD website.

There are a wide range of available clothing styles that reflect a positive attitude and appearance. We ask that students attending Beacon Park wear clothing that is comfortable, clean, and appropriate for school. Because our instructional program includes active play, students must wear clothing that allows them to run and jump. Clothing and other items students wear must not disrupt the educational process nor create any form of disturbance.  

• Pants or shorts must be the proper size. Short skirts or shorts for girls must be longer than 14” from waist, fitting securely at the waist above the hip bone. (Tip: Put your hands to your side, if you feel material you’re within the dress code. If not, you need to choose something else to wear).
• Any clothing that prohibits students from participating in all activities of the educational program, including P.E., should not be worn at school. Examples are:
  • Sandals, platforms, heels, sling-type shoes, Heelys (and similar products), flip-flops, Crocs, or jellies are considered unsafe and not allowed. Tennis shoes are the ideal shoe for play and exercise.
  • Dangling earrings are dangerous and are not appropriate school attire.
• Students should not wear shirts or tops that contain offensive or obscene symbols that promote alcohol, tobacco, drugs, gangs, tagging, violence, or that degrade any gender, cultural or ethical values. Spaghetti straps and halter tops are not appropriate. Tank top straps must be 1.5 inches in width.
• Any article of clothing that does not cover the mid-section or undergarments (boxers, bra straps, etc.) are not appropriate for school.
• Hats and hoods may be worn outside for protection.
• Staff members monitor our school dress policy. Parents are contacted when students violate our dress policy. Inappropriately dressed students will be asked to phone their parents for a change of clothes or may be given alternative clothing to wear, instead.

With the support and cooperation of our parents, students, and staff, Beacon Park will be a positive and productive learning environment.

Personal items such as radios, walkmans, electronic games, iPods, toys, playground equipment, and items that cause distraction are not permitted on campus at all. If a school activity requires that such an item needs to be brought to school, a teacher's prior approval is necessary. If a student brings any of these items to school without permission, the item will be confiscated and held in the office until the parent claims it. 

Under no circumstances are alcohol, drugs, drug paraphernalia, knives, guns, replica guns, or other weapons permitted on campus. Students in possession of the above items will be suspended and/or expelled from school.

Unless otherwise directed by a teacher, personal cell phones, smart watches, or other mobile communication devices must be turned off (not just placed on silent mode) and put away in backpacks during school hours (including recess and lunch).  The use of any such devices shall not infringe on the privacy rights of any other individual. When a student uses a mobile communication device in an unauthorized manner, the student may be disciplined and a District employee may confiscate the device. Confiscated devices will be securely stored for pick-up by a parent or guardian in the front office. We realize that having to pick up a student’s phone or device may be inconvenient and, therefore, we recommend you discuss this policy with your child in order to avoid this problem.  Beacon Park does not take responsibility for lost or damaged cell phones (Administrative Regulation 6163.41; Board Policy 6163.4).

The phone in the front office may be used by students during the school day for emergency purposes or urgent matters, and used by students after school who are unable to locate or otherwise contact their parent/guardian. In order to minimize classroom interruptions, we also do not deliver non-emergency phone messages from the office to individual classrooms. We ask that you take care of all after-school arrangements with your child before he/she leaves for school. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

To utilize the Chromebooks and local area network at Beacon Park, students and their parents are required to annually read and affirm agreement with our Technology Use Agreement. Please discuss school expectations with regard to technology, consequences for misuse of equipment, and the trust and responsibility associated  with access to the Internet. Failure to adhere to this contract may result in disciplinary action and restricted use of technology while at school.

• Chromebooks are to be used solely for academic use.
• Games, downloads, and personal email are not allowed at school.
• All Internet sites must be school appropriate.
• Chromebook Insurance is available through IUSD

The best way to reach a teacher is to contact them directly. Please see the school’s web page www.iusd.org/bp for a list of teacher phone extensions (dial (949)936- “and the extension”). During class time, calls will go directly into voicemail. You may also email teachers (full first name then full last name @iusd.org). 

Beacon Park does not allow gum on campus during school hours.

• Walk, ride a bike, or ride in a car to school
• Campus opens 15 minutes before school
• Campus closes 10 minutes after school
• Cross only with the crossing guard or on designated crosswalks
• Cross the school parking lot only where a teacher is on duty

• Students 3rd grade and above are welcome to ride bikes to/from school
• All bicycles MUST be parked in the bike rack and LOCKED
• Students may not share a bicycle lock – only one bicycle per lock!
• Helmets MUST be worn by all students riding to and from school
• All bicycles must be walked on school grounds
• Children should never ride two on one bicycle
• Bicycles must be in safe working condition
• Students are not to loiter in or around the bike rack area at any time
• All students riding bikes to and from school must have a permit on record in the school office
• We suggest that every bicycle be licensed through the Irvine Police Department
• Electronic bikes and scooters are not allowed on campus.  A driver’s license or instruction permit is required to operate a motorized scooter

Scooters, skateboards, and penny boards are allowed for students in grades 6-8 only.  This special privilege is extended only to 6-8 grade students provided that they adhere to the following three conditions. The privilege can be revoked at any time if these conditions are not met.

• May not be ridden anywhere on campus at any time.
• Helmets must be worn and properly fastened at all times.
• Must be stored properly in the bike rack or in a designated classroom space, as allowed by the classroom teachers.

• WALK when on campus
• Keep pets at home
• Use the bathroom correctly (no playing or teasing, maintain privacy at all times)
• Keep toys at home
• Follow directions and obey all adults
• Report unsafe conditions (glass, snakes, etc.)
• Respect our benches and flowerbeds
• Keep off the flagpole platform at the front of the campus
• Wear proper clothes and shoes for play (no sandals or open-toed shoes)
• Keep all medicine in the health office
• Stay out of classrooms and common areas when teachers are not present

• Pick up after yourselves
• Place all trash in the trash cans
• Eat your own lunch
• Leave glass containers at home

• Keep playground equipment away from buildings
• Stay where a supervisor can see you (outside quad, within boundaries)
• Ask a campus supervisor or conflict manager for help
• Know and follow game rules
• Use playground equipment safely
• Leave sticks on the ground
• Tell supervisor if injured

• Respect school property and private property.
• Use equipment appropriately and safely.
• Leave all toys, games, and personal items at home.
• Students will use appropriate language at all times.
• Hitting, kicking, wrestling, roughhousing, play fighting, and unsafe play are not allowed.
• Students must not go beyond the boundary lines.
• Students must have a pass to be in the building or any classroom during recess or lunch periods.
• No one can be excluded from any game unless permission has been granted by the playground supervisors.
• Students are allowed to make positive comments only (no put-downs).
• Saving places in line is not permitted.
• Disputes are resolved by a vote of all participating players.
• Chase or tag games are only allowed on the grass.
• Students are expected to walk on the blacktop.
• Do not climb on fences or trees.
• Do not hit balls against buildings or classrooms.
• No standing on or in the planters.
• All snacks must be eaten at the lunch tables only.

The District provides school-based mental health/wellness services and resources to students and families. These services include short-term individual or group counseling for students at the school site; short-term, solution-focused therapy for students and families through the Irvine Family Resource Center; and resource linkages to community-based mental health or social services for students and families. Services are provided by counselors or licensed mental health professionals.

Health/Wellness Services & Resources

• Speak Up, We Care: iusd.org/WeCare

• Mental Health & Wellness: iusd.org/department/mental-health-wellness

• Hazel Health - Online Therapy for Students (Free) https://my.hazel.co/school/signin

Crisis Resources

• Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988 (call or text)

• Warm Line: 1-714-991-6412  (call or text)

• NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 (call), 62640 (text), or nami.org/help (chat)

• Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741-741

• Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

• Crisis Assessment Team: 1-714-517-6353

• Say Something Anonymous Reporting: 1-844-5-SAYNOW

The Irvine Unified School District is committed to equal opportunity for all individuals in education. District programs and activities including membership in student clubs shall be free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying of any student based on the student's actual or perceived characteristics such as race or ethnicity, color, ancestry, national origin, nationality, ethnic group identification, immigration status, age, religion, actual or potential parental, family, or marital status, or the exclusion of any person because of pregnancy or related condition, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, or genetic information; the perception of one or more of such characteristics; or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

The District does not discriminate in enrollment in or access to any of the activities and programs available. Admission to these programs is based on age appropriateness, class space, interest, aptitude, and prerequisite coursework where applicable. The lack of English skills should not be a barrier to admission to or participation in the District’s activities and programs. The Irvine Unified School District also does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices.