Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. We encourage you to be involved in your child’s classroom. Please call your child’s teacher to make an appointment if you’d like to visit or volunteer in the classroom. Volunteers need to complete a volunteer packet and return it to the office.

What is the procedure for checking my child out of school for an appointment?

If you need to pick up your child for an appointment during school hours, please check in at the office first. The clerk will call the classroom, and your child will meet you in the office. Thanks for helping us to keep our campus safe. The school is currently updating a truancy policy which is coming soon.

What should I do if my child is ill and will miss school?

Please notify the office and then call your child’s teacher.

Can my child ride a bicycle to school?

We allow students in the third through fifth grades to ride their bikes to school after they have participated in the Bike Safety Presentation. Students must lock their bikes in the bike racks during the school day with a lock the student’s family has purchased. Students need to wear a safety helmet that they keep in the classroom until the end of the school day. Please remind your child to walk his/her bike across all streets and on the sidewalks in front of Castle Dome and Otondo.

Does Otondo School provide bus service for its students?

Yes. Most students that attend Otondo School use the bus transportation our district provides. Please remember that it is a privilege, and our main concern and purpose is to provide the safe transportation of our students. This is why we give our drivers the authority to set the rules of conduct for his/her bus. We also have directed our bus drivers to report any students that do not follow the rules.

What if the bus skips my child’s bus stop?

If the bus driver fails to stop at your child’s designated bus stop, please notify the Transportation Department at (928) 502-8840, and then call the school office at (928) 502-8500.

What should I do if I need to change my child’s transportation?

If your child needs to take another route home than what he/she normally does, please send a note to the office explaining what the changes will be. Please include the new address, the name of the adult contact residing there, and the phone number. If there is an emergency and you can’t send a note with your child, please call the school office at (928) 502-8500 to report the emergency transportation change.

May my child take toys/electronic devices to school?

Students may not bring expensive jewelry, trading cards, or large sums of money to school. Cell phones and electronic devices are not permitted without administrative approval. Each teacher will notify parents regarding guidelines related to other toys and provide written permission to students if there is an exception. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen articles.

Is there a “Lost and Found” at school?

Although the school is not responsible for lost or stolen items, we will place “found” items in a box in the cafeteria. Students can check there if they’ve misplaced something. Please label coats, sweaters, back packs, and other items with the student’s name.

I have to be at work at 8:00 a.m. May I drop my child off at 7:45?

No. For safety reasons, children may not be on school premises before 8:15 a.m. We don’t have any school supervision until that time when play begins. If you need to drop your child off before 8:15 a.m., please consult with the Discovery Club personnel to arrange for before-school childcare.

Does Otondo School provide music education?

Yes. We give our kindergarten through fifth grade classes 30–-40 minutes of music instruction once a week, and interested fourth and fifth graders can take chorus before school. We’re sorry, but we do not offer piano or guitar instruction.

Does Otondo School offer Physical Education class?

Yes. All kindergarten through fifth grade classes have PE once a week. Please be sure your child wears comfortable school clothes and tennis shoes on PE day.

What meals does the cafeteria serve, and what is the cost?

Elementary Pricing Schools: Alice Byrne, Palmcroft, Rolle, Otondo, Desert Mesa, and Sunrise

We know that breakfast is the most important part of the day. That is why at Yuma School District One, we offer breakfast at no cost. We serve breakfast from 8:10 a.m. to 8:40 a.m. Please join us. If a parent or child would like to join a student and purchase breakfast, the cost is $2.00. Lunch is available to all students for $1.50 every day. If a parent or guest would like to join their student for lunch, the cost is $3.00.

You may fill out a free and reduced lunch application at any time during the school year if you think your child may qualify. If you would like to manage your meal account online or make an online payment you may go to the district Child Nutrition page. See the cafeteria manager for more details. We look forward to serving you.

If your student brings a sack lunch from home, they may still purchase a juice or milk for 25 cents to go with their meal. Due to USDA guidelines, milk or juice is 25 cents, regardless if your student qualifies for free and reduced priced meals.

What if I think my child needs special education?

Please talk to your child’s teacher to discuss your concerns. The teacher will initiate whatever interventions your child might need.

What should I do if my address changes?

Please let the office and your child’s teacher know as soon as your address changes. We will need the new address, the new phone number if there is one, and a new proof of residence.

My child must receive medication during school hours. Is there a school nurse that can take care of this for me?

Yes. Please give your child’s prescription medication to the school nurse (Do not allow your child to take it to her). She will need your (the parent or guardian’s) written consent in order to be able to administer it. All medication must be in an appropriately labeled container from the pharmacist.

Does Otondo School have a dress code?

Yes. We believe that pride in one's dress and appearance is essential to a productive learning environment. Dress is also important as it relates to the safety, health, and welfare of our students.

Please follow some basic guidelines as found below:

Shirts and blouses should be modest—long enough that you can tuck it in and have it stay in your waistband. Tops need at least a one-inch wide strap at the shoulder.
Pants, skirts, and shorts—please wear them at the waist and cover all of your undergarments. Please make sure they are not so long that they sweep the floor. All skirts and shorts must be long enough to reach your fingertips when you hold your arms at your sides.
Be sure your clothing and your jewelry do not contain or imply profanity, drug use, sex, or ethnic slurs in any way, shape, or form.
We will not allow clothing which infers or is associated with any gang affiliation. This includes, but is not limited to, bandanas, belts hanging from the pant loops, or any gang-related personalization on hats, clothing, backpacks, belt buckles, or one’s person.
We ask that you wear closed-toed shoes and that they do not have more than a one-inch heel. Please wear your shoes at all times.
You must not wear caps or hats indoors.
Be sure that any jewelry you wear does not present a hazard to yourself or others. We do not permit watch or wallet chains.

May my child bring a fidget spinner to school?

No. Fidget spinners and other concentration devices are not permitted at school unless the student has written evidence from a licensed medical practitioner or a valid I.E.P./504 Plan indicating such need.

May my child bring a pet to school?

No. Pets are not allowed on campus without administrative approval unless they are trained service animals with proper documentation.