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School Primer for Parents

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In the coming week, more than 400,000 Orange County students will be heeding the peal of the school bell. Most districts provide parents with back-to-school information, but here are some essentials, including bus and lunch fees, major school holidays and after-school child care options.

* Calendar: highlights of academic year Elementary district: Anaheim City (K-6) First day: 9/7/93 Thanksgiving: 11/25-26 Winter break: 12/20-31 Spring break: 3/28-31/94 Last day: 6/16/94 Whom to call*: 535-6001 Elementary district: Buena Park (K-8) First day: 9/8/93 Thanksgiving: 11/25-26 Winter break: 12/20-31 Spring break: 3/28-31/94 Last day: 6/16/94 Whom to call*: 522-8412 Elementary district: Centralia (K-6) First day: 9/13/93 Thanksgiving: 11/25-26 Winter break: 12/20-31 Spring break: 3/28-31/94 Last day: 6/23/94 Whom to call*: 228-3100 Elementary district: Cypress (K-6) First day: 9/8/93 Thanksgiving: 11/24-26 Winter break: 12/20-31 Spring break: 3/28-31/94 Last day: 6/17/94 Whom to call*: 220-6900 Elementary district: Fountain Valley (K-8) First day: 9/8/93 Thanksgiving: 11/24-26 Winter break: 12/20-31 Spring break: 4/4-8/94 Last day: 6/15/94 Whom to call*: 843-3200 Elementary district: Fullerton (K-8) First day: 9/7/93 Thanksgiving: 11/25-26 Winter break: 12/20-31 Spring break: 3/28-31/94 Last day: 6/16/94 Whom to call*: 447-7400 Elementary district: Huntington Beach (K-8) 9/8/93 First day: 11/25-26 Thanksgiving: 12/20-31 Winter break: 4/4-8/94 Spring break: 6/16/94 Last day: 964-8888 Whom to call*: Elementary district: La Habra (K-8) First day: 9/9/93 Thanksgiving: 11/25-26 Winter break: 12/20-31 Spring break: 3/28-31/94 Last day: 6/17/94 Whom to call*: (310) 690-2305 Elementary district: Magnolia (K-6) First day: 9/7/93 Thanksgiving: 11/25-26 Winter break: 12/20-31 Spring break: 3/28-31/94 Last day: 6/17/94 Whom to call*: 761-5533 Elementary district: Ocean View (K-8) First day: 9/8/93 Thanksgiving: 11/25-26 Winter break: 12/20-31 Spring break: 4/4-8/94 Last day: 6/16/94 Whom to call*: 847-2551 Elementary district: Savanna (K-6) First day: 9/13/93 Thanksgiving: 11/25-26 Winter break: 12/20-31 Spring break: 3/28-31/94 Last day: 6/23/94 Whom to call*: 236-3800 Elementary district: Westminster (K-8) First day: 9/7/93 Thanksgiving: 11/25-26 Winter break: 12/20-31 Spring break: 4/1-8/94 Last day: 6/17/94 Whom to call*: 894-7311

* High school district: Anaheim Union (7-12) First day: 9/9/93 Thanksgiving: 11/25-26 Winter break: 12/20-31 Spring break: 3/28-31/94 Last day: 6/17/94 Whom to call*: 999-3511 High school district: Fullerton Joint Union (9-12) First day: 9/7/93 Thanksgiving: 11/25-26 Winter break: 12/20-31 Spring break: 3/28-31/94 Last day: 6/16/94 Whom to call*: 671-4331 High school district: Huntington Beach Union (9-12) First day: 9/9/93 Thanksgiving: 11/25-26 Winter break: 12/20-31 Spring break: 4/4-8/94 Last day: 6/16/94 Whom to call*: 964-3339

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* Unified district: Brea-Olinda (K-12) First day: 9/2/93 Thanksgiving: 11/25-26 Winter break: 12/20-31 Spring break: 3/28-31/94 Last day: 6/15/94 Whom to call*: 990-7800 Unified district: Capistrano (K-12) First day: 9/9/93 Thanksgiving: 11/25-26 Winter break: 12/20-31 Spring break: 4/4-8/94 Last day: 6/21/94 Whom to call*: 489-7000 Unified district: Garden Grove (K-12) First day: 9/9/93 Thanksgiving: 11/25-26 Winter break: 12/20-31 Spring break: 4/1-8/94 Last day: 6/21/94 Whom to call*: 663-6000 Unified district: Irvine (K-12) First day: 9/9/93 Thanksgiving: 11/25-26 Winter break: 12/20-31 Spring break: 4/4-8/94 Last day: 6/22/94 Whom to call*: 651-0444 Unified district: Laguna Beach (K-12) First day: 9/9/93 Thanksgiving: 11/25-26 Winter break: 12/20-31 Spring break: 3/28-31/94 Last day: 6/23/94 Whom to call*: 497-7701 Unified district: Los Alamitos (K-12) First day: 9/9/93 Thanksgiving: 11/25-26 Winter break: 12/20-31 Spring break: 3/28-31/94 Last day: 6/22/94 Whom to call*: (310) 430-1021 Unified district: Newport-Mesa (K-12) First day: 9/9/93 Thanksgiving: 11/25-26 Winter break: 12/20-31 Spring break: 3/28-31/94 Last day: 6/21/94 Whom to call*: 760-3200 Unified district: Orange (K-12) First day: 9/8/93 Thanksgiving: 11/24-26 Winter break: 12/20-31 Spring break: 3/28-31/94 Last day: 6/17/94 Whom to call*: 997-6100 Unified district: Placentia-Yorba Linda (K-12) First day: 9/8/93 Thanksgiving: 11/25-26 Winter break: 12/20-31 Spring break: 3/28-31/94 Last day: 6/16/94 Whom to call*: 996-2550 Unified district: Saddleback Valley (K-12) First day: 9/9/93 Thanksgiving: 11/25-26 Winter break: 12/20-31 Spring break: 4/4-8/94 Last day: 6/23/94 Whom to call*: 586-1234 Unified district: Santa Ana (K-12) First day: 9/8/93 Thanksgiving: 11/25-26 Winter break: 12/20-31 Spring break: 3/28-31/94 Last day: 6/16/94 Whom to call*: 558-5501 Unified district: Tustin (K-12) First day: 9/9/93 Thanksgiving: 11/25-26 Winter break: 12/20-31 Spring break: 4/4-8/94 Last day: 6/15/94 Whom to call*: 730-7301 * All numbers are 714 area code unless otherwise noted Bus Fees Many school districts own their fleets of buses and provide free daily transportation for students. Eight districts that charge bus fees: District: Annual fee Brea-Olinda Unified: Elementary grades free; grades 7-8, $50 per child; grades 9-12 no busing Capistrano Unified: First two children, $180; third child, $135; additional children, $90 Irvine Unified: First two children, $180; third child, $90; additional children free Los Alamitos: First child, $252; second child, $162; additional children, $90 each Newport-Mesa Unified: First two children, $150; third child, $80; additional children, free Orange Unified: $180 per child Saddleback Valley: First two children, $182.50; third child, $91.25; additional children free Tustin Unified: First two children, $180; third child, $90; additional children, $3 processing.

* Nutrition Guidlines

School districts are responsible for creating their own lunch menus, but they must follow nutritional requirements set by the National School Lunch Program. These requirements include:

* Daily requirements * 2 oz. of protein or meat alternative (cheese, beans, legumes) * 3/4 cup fruit or vegetable (fresh or canned) * 8 oz. milk

* Weekly requirements * 8 servings bread (including hamburger bun, tortilla, corn dog coating)

* Brown Bag Tips * If you opt to send your child to school with a sack lunch, here are some things to keep in mind: * Include at least two ounces of protein. * Don’t pack items that can easily spoil like tuna, mayonnaise, chicken and eggs. * Pack carbohydrates to replenish a child’s energy level. * Don’t pack large lunches and avoid items that take a long time to eat, such as large apples. Children have limited lunch breaks and they usually want time to play after they eat. * Pack foods you know your child will eat. Don’t worry about repetition or an unimaginative menu. * Avoid sugary snacks that could make your child hyperactive during class. Lunch Fees

What elementary school children pay each day for lunch at the various districts:

* District: Lunch with milk Anaheim City: $1.60 Buena Park: 1.25 Centralia: 1.50 Cypress: 1.50 Fullerton: 1.50 Huntington Beach: 1.50 La Habra (K-5): 1.25 La Habra (6-8): 1.50 Magnolia: 1.50 Ocean View: 1.50 Savanna: 1.35 Westminster: 1.25 Brea-Olinda Unified: 1.50 Capistrano Unified: 1.75 Garden Grove Unified: .75 Irvine Unified: 1.50 Laguna Beach Unified: 1.75 Los Alamitos Unified: 1.75 Newport-Mesa Unified: 1.50 Orange Unified: 1.40 Placentia-Yorba Linda Un.: 1.50 Saddleback Valley Unified: 1.60 Santa Ana Unified: 1.00 Tustin Unified (K-5): 1.50 Tustin Unified (6-8): 1.65

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* After-School Options

Many school districts and local parks and recreation departments offer after-school activities for students from kindergarten through middle school levels. Some of the major agencies that offer programs countywide:

* YMCA of Orange County Locations: At more than 50 elementary schools countywide Serves: Grades K-6 Activities: Homework time, indoor games and crafts, outdoor sports, field trips Adult supervision? Yes. Staff will only release child to authorized parent or guardian Hours: After school until 6 p.m.; some programs last until 6:30 p.m. Cost: $180-$240 per month depending on hours of care provided; scholarships available for families who qualify Phone: For program locations, call the YMCA nearest you, or Y headquarters at (714) 549-9622

* Boys and Girls Clubs Locations: 22 facilities countywide Serves: Grades K-12 Activities: Arts and crafts, dance, cooking, drama, computer, homework and tutoring programs, seasonal sports; some clubs provide school-to-club transportation Adult supervision? Yes; however, children are free to come and go as they please Hours: Typically 2 to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Some programs last into the evening hours Cost: $1 to $50 a year Phone: Check phone book for club locations

* Children’s Home Society Child Care Services Parent hot line: (714) 543-2273 (KID-CARE) Services: Parents receive referrals on child-care options, including licensed family day-care homes, supervised and unsupervised after-school programs. Information on homework hot lines and help lines available for latchkey children. Cost: Referrals are free.

* Choosing Suitable Day Care What to ask when choosing after-school care: * Convenience: Can your child walk from school to day care? Does provider offer transportation? How close is provider to work and home? * Adult-child ratio: Is there sufficient adult supervision for number of children in day-care center or home? * Health and safety: Does provider know cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid? Is facility clean and safe? * Adult behavior: How well does adult interact with children? What discipline techniques are used? * Homework and play: Does provider offer right balance of homework and play time?

* Sources: Orange County Department of Education, individual school districts, YMCA of Orange County, Boys and Girls Club of Tustin, Children’s Home Society Child Care Services; Researched by CAROLINE LEMKE / Los Angeles Times

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