Frequently Asked Questions
When does school start?
The first day is Wednesday, August 14. The school day begins at 8 a.m. for all grades. Gates open and yard supervision begins at 7:50 a.m. K-2nd students are dropped off at the Addison Street gate; 3rd–5th grades are dropped off at the Curtis Street gate. Pickup locations at the end of the day are the same, except for students riding the bus. Bus pickup is on Addison Street.
What time does school end?
Kindergarten ends at 1:20 p.m. everyday. 1st–5th grades end at 2:10 p.m. on M/T/Th/F, and at 1:20 p.m. on Wednesdays. If students are not picked up within 10-15 minutes of dismissal, they will be waiting in the office for pickup.
When do we find out our teacher for the year?
Classes will be posted on Tuesday, August 13, on our class lists page. Assignments will be available by 5 p.m. Use the password 94702 to view class rosters. Rosters will also be posted on the window at Oxford's University Ave. entrance.
What does my child need to bring to school on the first day of school?
Students should bring a backpack to school everyday. They do not need school supplies. Common supplies are shared in the classroom. Students should bring a water bottle and plan to eat school lunch or pack a lunch from home. Label personal items. You would be amazed at how quickly the Lost & Found fills up. Leave toys and valuables at home.
How does school lunch work?
School lunch is available (and free) for all students. Students are welcome to bring their own lunch. If your child has food allergies or restrictions, please email Mary Fung, maryfung@berkeley.net, to let her know. Whether you plan to take advantage of school lunch or not, please complete the registration form at ezmealapp.com. It's quick and easy. Each completed registration increases district funding and supports school programs.
How do I arrange my child's school bus transportation?
If you want to sign up your child to take the bus to school, please email the BUSD transportation department at transportation@berkeley.net or call (510) 644-6182. Bus dropoff and pick up is on Addison Street. Do not park in the bus zones. A staff member will be present at the Addison Gate during arrival and departure. At the end of the day, teachers will walk the kindergarten students to the afterschool bus.
What does the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) do?
The PTA is the primary event planning, community building, and fundraising organization for the school. Please consider joining the PTA and participating in meetings. Everyone is welcome! Contact us at pta@oxfordelementary.org.
Where can I find out more information about the school?
This website has all kinds of information for families. We also send out newsletters every two weeks. Join the mailing list from the homepage to stay informed.
How do I find out about school holidays and events?
View the event calendar on our homepage. You can also sync the school calendar using Google Calendar and this link.
How do I find out what is happening at school and communicate with the
teacher?
Every child will have a Thursday folder that will contain a school bulletin and important information. The folder goes home on Thursdays and comes back to school on Fridays. School newsletters are also emailed home. If you want to talk to your child’s teacher, send them an email, leave a message in the office, or put a note in the Thursday folder. All staff have a common email address that follows the pattern: firstnamelastname@berkeley.net. For example, you can email the principal at BethCornwell@berkeley.net.
What do I do if my child is absent?
Please email oxfordattendance@berkeley.net. You can also call the school office in the morning of the absence at (510) 644-6300 and leave a message. If you forget to do this, you will get an automated call from BUSD regarding your child’s absence. A note is also acceptable for clearing absences; please have your child give the note to Kaitlin in the office, not the class teacher.
What if my child arrives late and/or leaves early?
If your child arrives late to school, they must first check in at the office and get a tardy slip before going to class. We need a note regarding the reason for the late arrival. If your child needs to leave school early, please call the office to let us know. The Curtis St. gate is locked at 8:15 a.m. Late arrivals can enter through the Addison gate or the 1222 University Ave. entrance. Students can be buzzed in via those two entry points. The University entrance is also a good place to drop off forgotten lunches, backpacks, etc.
What if I want to visit the school or the classroom?
Please do! Teachers will coordinate with families for volunteers within the classroom as well as room parent opportunities. Additionally, all parents are welcome to visit during lunch and at recess. We can especially use help with our kinders who are still working on peeling oranges, opening milks, etc.
How do I find out about the afterschool program, Berkeley LEARNS/OASIS?
If you are interested in having your child attend the site afterschool program, register at https://www.berkeleyschools.net/schools/berkeley-after-school-programs/berkeley-learns/. At first, you will be placed on a waitlist. Aaron Grayson processes applications and enrolls students. The first day of the afterschool program is Wednesday, August 14. The end time for LEARNS is 5:30pm. Contact Aaron at (510) 644-8883 with any questions.
When is Back-to-School Night?
All BUSD elementary school Back-to-School Nights are on Thursday, August 29 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. More details will be in the first school bulletin.