School Policies and Procedures are established at every school to improve local systems and processes and to ensure the safety of our students, employees and visitors.

In order to assist you in learning about the policies and procedures at Alachua Elementary, we are including a list of frequently asked questions from parents to our front office staff. It is our goal for our school website and the Parent/Student Handbook to be a resource for answering your questions. We will continue to add questions/answers as necessary.

Q: I need to speak to my child’s teacher. Can I come in early one morning and go to the classroom?
A: Mornings are busy times for our teachers as they are preparing for the school day, so please email or call your child’s teacher to arrange a convenient time to meet with or call her/him. Remember to include your phone number in the email. In the event that you do not have email access, call the Front Office staff at 386-454-1958.  They will be happy to take a message from you and send it to the teacher. NOTE: Teachers have 24 hours to respond to parent emails and phone calls.
Q: How do I get my child’s teacher email address?
A: All school employees have the same ending to their email address: @gm.sbac.edu. Email addresses are listed on our Faculty and Staff page. 
Q: My child has a 2:00 dentist appointment. Can I check her out at 1:30?
A: The latest time to check out a student is 1:30 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.  12:30 is the latest you can check your child out on Wednesday.
Q: My child usually rides the bus home but I need him to be a car rider today. Can I call or send an email to make that change?
A: We cannot accept transportation changes over the phone or by email. Send in a written note with your child the morning you want her/him to be a car rider and we will take care of those arrangements for you. The person picking up your child has to be included in the Emergency Information for your child.  They will also have to have a Car Pickup sign to place on the dashboard of their car when picking up your child.  If they do not have a Car Pickup sign, they will not be allowed to pick up your child in the Car Pickup line.  They will have to go to the Front Office to be given a car dashboard sign first.  You may also FAX a written and signed change of dismissal to 844-273-4472.
Q: My child’s birthday is today. Can I bring in cupcakes, balloons and goodie bags?
A: As stated in the Parent/Student Handbook, birthday parties are not allowed at school.  However, cupcakes or cookies may be provided for the class snack. Please email or call your child’s teacher, in advance, to let her/him know you are bringing in a treat. Unless other arrangements are made with the teacher, you may bring in the treat and leave it in the front office. We will make sure the teacher gets it at her/his convenience.
Q: I want to visit my child’s classroom. Do I need to check in the front office first?
A: All visitors MUST check in at the Front Office first and receive a visitor pass.  Unexpected visitors are not authorized and can be disruptive to the learning environment, therefore we ask that you refrain from visiting the classroom unless you have made prior arrangements with the teacher. If arrangements are made, you must check in with the front office staff for a visitor pass before proceeding to the classroom.
Q: Do I need to send an excuse or note if my child is absent, tardy or checked out??
A: Notes are required.