FAQ – Current Families

A. Each Wednesday afternoon “The Weekly” is emailed to all families and students.  This has the calender with what is happening during the week, including minimum days & holidays, meetings, sports/drama activities, announcements, and fundraising. Also a peek at what has been happening in classrooms and around campus.

A. The Grove School uses “Aeries.net”.  All new parents will receive log-in directions and passcode to create a “parent portal” account.  Then this account can be linked to your student’s account. Grades, homework, attendance and notes from teachers can be viewed through the Aeries portal. 

A. A Medication Authorization form must be completed and signed by a doctor before any medication, including over-the-counter, can be brought to school.  All medication must be brought into the office with the signed form. Students are not to have any medication (over-the-counter or prescription) with them on school campus expect for an inhaler or epi-pen with the proper form signed.

A. The Grove school follows all CDC and state guidelines for public school and California has announced the COVID-19 vaccine has been added to the list of vaccinations required for school, such as the vaccines for measles, mumps, and rubella.  Students will be required to be vaccinated for in person learning starting the term following FDA full approval of the vaccine for their grade span (7-12 and K-6). At this time we do not know the exact date the vaccine will be required or what exemptions will be allowed.  As we get more information we will share it with our school community. More information about those requirements is linked here. 

A. School starts at 8:00 am at the start of morning meeting.  Any student not in a seat at the start of morning meeting is considered tardy.  If a student arrives after the morning meeting has ended, (for Middle school) a parent needs to sign them in on the clipboard on the office door inside the barn. (For the High school) The student needs to sign in at the front office.

A. All students need to have a parent/guardian or someone on the Emergency Contact form, sign the student out.  At the Middle school, this list is on the office door inside the barn, and at the front desk in the High school office.  

A. Please email attendance@thegroveschool.org or call the HS office at 909-798-7831.

A. “RISE” is available for a student who will be absent 5 or more days.  It is best if you notify the school 2 weeks in advance when possible to complete a RISE contract. If the student completes and turns in their work,the absences will not be counted against them.

A. School lunches are served on all days, except Wednesdays and minimum days.  An email will be sent from Mark Woodson on every Wednesday with the following weeks menu and sign-ups, to your student’s school email account. Your student can then submit their request for lunch for the following week.

A. Lunches cost $4 a day (a new free/reduced lunch application is required each year for qualifying families). Lunch cards are available in the HS office (cash or check). There is a 5 day lunch card for $20, that can be used any day.  There is a monthly card (cost varies), which is only valid for that month purchase. A student may also purchase a 1 day lunch.

A. The annual, overnight campout provides an opportunity for staff and students to come together as a community in preparation for the upcoming school year. This event is planned by teachers at the Farm, and by students at the High School. It creates a shared experience to build community, share student knowledge, establish norms and practices, and prepare for the school year.

A. Minicourses are designed to allow students to explore physical and creative interests in eight sessions over the course of a trimester. The classes are designed by teachers, volunteers, and students to provide students with experiences in a wide variety of activities that meet the students interests and developmental needs.  Everything from baking to Shakespeare has been taught as a Minicourse.

A. Project “Week” is actually two weeks! Out of the regular schedule, students are allotted time to do a deep cross-curricular dive into the study of an issue. Students will do an academic review of the issue, and design a project that explores the issue, or, time allowing, execute a design to address that issue. For example, during a study of chickens, students will research 

A. Winterims are designed for middle school students and consist of a week of student-driven curriculum, which may include nights away from home and travel. Winterims require weekly planning meetings, extensive fundraising, and oversight by staff. Winterims take place the week before Spring Break, and are chaperoned by teachers and staff.

A. CAWE is the High School equivalent of a Winterim. It includes: outside experts, academic, interdisciplinary objectives, staff and student accountability, travel outside the local area, sixteen to eighteen hours of class sessions (an afternoon mini-course), 5-7 days of continuous activities during the last two weeks of second trimester, a presentation of knowledge/skill and/or a demonstration of activity to the whole community, and the completion of an academic paper which demonstrates mastery of the interdisciplinary objectives.

A. Each student is placed with a mentor, who they work with for three years.  Mentors are responsible for assisting their students with goal setting, and completion of school-wide projects (ie: internship, community service, Praxis, student led conferences, senior projects, etc.).  Mentors also help maintain an open line of communication between parents and the school.

A. Twice a year students will give a formal presentation to their mentor, parent/guardian and a peer.  In this presentation students will reflect on their performance with The Grove School Outcomes and discuss their goals.  Mentors and other audience members can ask questions or ask for clarification.

A. Minicourses are scheduled for Tuesday OR Thursday afternoon from 1-3 pm and last for 8-10 sessions.  If you are interested in teaching a mini course, please email Beth Hauso at bhauso@thegroveschool.org with your idea / topic and time of year you would be available (September-November, December-February, or March-May).

A. All parent drivers must be fingerprinted.  You can pick-up a form at either office. This process can take from 24 hours to 2 weeks, to get cleared.