Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for answers? Then you’ve come to the right place! To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions asked by our Zia families. And, if you can’t find the answers here or on our website, please don’t hesitate to give us a call during our regular office hours.
What time does school begin and end?
The first bell rings at 8:10 a.m., and we dismiss at 3:20 p.m. For the daily bell schedule, please visit our Our School page.
What do I need to do when my child is sick or cannot attend school for other reasons?
Regular school attendance is important to the success of your child; however, there are times when he or she must be home from school due to illness or other circumstances. We require parents or guardians to notify the school office on or before each day of absence and to provide us with the reason for your child’s absence. We consider all unverified absences as unexcused. We reward students who have regular and consistent attendance with points added to their final nine-week grade average. After 11 absences in a single semester, we will place students on “monitor” status for possible retention.
What is the policy to make up missed work?
Make up work due to absence is the responsibility of the student. We allow one (1) day to make up work for each day missed, not to exceed two (2) weeks. Students who miss only one (1) day on the day of a previously announced test or deadline date are responsible for making up the work the day he/she returns to school. Parents may request make-up work for students. We will have work requested by 11:30 a.m. available for pick-up after 3:00 p.m. that day. Make up work requested after 11:30 a.m. will be available for pick-up after 11:30 a.m. the following day.
We issue each student a planner the first week of school. The planner is a great tool for staying organized in intermediate school. We require the students to write their weekly assignments in their planners for a grade. To indicate awareness of their child’s assignments, we encourage parents to sign the planners.
We require students to have a planner in hand to leave class and to check out library books. In the event of a lost lunch card, students may present the bar code contained in their planner to purchase lunch. We require students to have their planner throughout the entire school year. If a planner is lost, it is the responsibility of the student to purchase a replacement planner in the office. The cost for replacement is $10.00 during the first semester, $7.00 during the third nine weeks, and $5.00 during the fourth nine weeks.
What does “R.A.C.E.D. response” mean?
R.A.C.E.D. is an acronym meaning: R=Restate the question, A=Answer the question, C=Cite evidence, E=Expand your answer, D=Demonstrate correct conventions. On a school-wide basis, we use this method to answer extended response questions. The R.A.C.E.D. response method improves writing skills, encourages critical thinking, and prepares students for required state assessments.
We do not allow our students to accept a zero for any work assignments. To receive maximum credit for assignments, students must turn assignments in on the designated due date. Incomplete work or failure to do the work is unacceptable. Each core subject has established a policy and penalty system for students to complete and submit assignments after the due date.
How do I register my child to attend school at Artesia Intermediate?
We’re happy to welcome new students to our school! Please visit the district Registration and Immunizations page for more information
Can my child bring a cell phone or other mobile device to school?
Yes, we do permit cell phones with the stipulation that students keep the device turned off during regular school hours and carry it in their backpack, pocket, or purse. Students may only use their cell phones before or after school. We require students to store all other electronic devices in a locker or backpack during instructional time. Artesia Intermediate School assumes no responsibility for the loss or theft of electronic devices. If you need to relay a message to your child during school hours, please contact our office.
What is the breakfast and lunch policy?
We serve breakfast and lunch daily. We offer a minimum of five lunch choices each day. Students who participate in the free lunch program should present their student identification cards in the cafeteria. Students who pay reduced or full price must load money on their identification cards in the office before or after school or during lunch. We encourage students to pay for lunches by the week or month. We do not permit students to charge a meal. We will serve students with a zero card balance a cheese sandwich, a piece of fruit, and milk.
Please visit our district Food Services page for meal prices, menus, and reduced and free lunch information.
What is the protocol for the arrival and departure of students?
We have specific procedures in place in order to ensure the safety of our students. We kindly request all of our Zia families to adhere to the rules as outlined.
Morning drop-off:
- Please drop-off your child in the supervised area located on the south side of the building. We have marked this area with striping for easy identification.
- Pull as far forward as possible from the east before dropping off your child; prepare your child to exit the vehicle immediately to keep traffic flowing.
- You are also welcome to drop off your child in the parking lot on the west end of the school via access from the east drop off lane. A double line painted in the middle of Bullock restricts vehicles from entering the parking lot from the west. Turn west (right) to exit.
- We require students to use the crosswalks to meet their rides parked on the south side of Bullock.
- Under no circumstances should you stop in the middle of the street to drop off or pick up your child.
After school pickup:
- Bus students should report to the north end of the playground as quickly as possible. We do not permit non-bus riders on the playground after school.
- Students who walk home should leave the campus as quickly as possible after school. For their safety, we want all students to utilize crosswalks.
- If you will be picking up your child, please follow the same procedure as outlined for the morning drop-off.
What is ParentAide and how do I get a username and password to use it?
ParentAide is just one more way we are working to stay connected. ParentAide provides you with real time access to your child’s grades, attendance history, and other information. To receive your login information, please complete the ParentAide Access form found on our district
My child must take medication during the school day, how do I set this up?
We will administer medication to your child provided a completed authorization form is on file in the nurse’s office. Please contact us to obtain the necessary paperwork.
What is the dress code for Zia?
While we do not require our students to wear uniforms, we have certain rules and regulations to maintain a climate conducive to the learning process. The Artesia Board of Education believes that student appearance and dress have a direct relationship to student learning and that our students should dress appropriately for school and not detract from the learning process. For specific details about our dress code, please refer to the student handbook found on the Home page under the Parent Resources quick link category.
General guidelines include the following:
- Hair must be neat, clean, and well groomed. We will not permit a hairstyle that creates a hazard to the student's health or safety or distracts from learning. Hair may not cover the eyes. Boys may not wear their hair below the bottom of a standard dress shirt collar; however, we will permit boys not meeting the length requirement to pin it up during school hours and while participating in school activities. We require boys to be clean-shaven. We do not allow sideburns to extend beyond the earlobe.
- We require students to wear shoes appropriate for daily activities. We do not permit slippers.
- We require shorts and skirts to reach the mid-thigh. We do not allow cutoffs, biker shorts, or spandex shorts. We require pant stride and waistline in the normal position. We do not permit sagging clothing.
- We require students to button blouses or shirts at all times. We do not permit see through clothing or off-the-shoulder blouses. We require tops/shirts to cover the top of the trousers, skirt, or shorts when raising their arms above their head. We prohibit bare midriffs and cleavage.
- We require sleeveless or tank tops to have at least a two-inch wide shoulder strap.
- We do not permit clothing with lewd, offensive, vulgar, or obscene logos. We do not permit clothing that advertises gang affiliation, tobacco, or alcoholic beverages.
- We do not allow nose rings, spiked jewelry, or studs. We do not permit students to wear or display chains and body piercing anywhere other than the ears.
- We strongly discourage tattoos for health reasons. We will not permit students to display tattoos that are lewd, offensive, vulgar, obscene, or distracting to student learning.