Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to La Costa Heights Elementary!
We, at the LCH PTA, are so excited to have your kids as part of our school, and your family as part of our school community. We know that you might have some questions about how things work at LCH, and have included some frequently asked questions and answers below. If there’s anything else we can do to help make your transition to LCH a smooth one, please contact us.
How does drive-through drop-off and pick-up work?
If you have a 1st-6th grader, you may opt to use our drive-through lanes to drop off or pick up your child. Please note the following safety guidelines:
- NO LEFT TURN from Levante St. into the school parking lot during drop off and pickup times – this is a big safety issue, and greatly slows down traffic
- Pull up as far as you can in the drive-through and do not stop at the first gate as this slows down traffic.
- Remain in your car when dropping off children to keep the drop off traffic flowing
- Have your child ready to get out (backpack etc in hand) once you reach the curb in front of the school
- Only let kids out on the curb side of the car
- Red curbs are no parking zones, which means no stopping, standing or parking at any time.
- The green curb in front of the school is designated for home-to-school transportation for students in our special programs. This is a loading zone and drivers are to stay in their vehicle. Please refer to the signs adjacent to the green curb for specific time restrictions.
- Patiently stay in the single drive-through lane (do not exit “early” by cutting left)
- Follow all traffic safety laws and respect the directions given by the safety personnel in the parking lot
These guidelines are in place to ensure the safety of all our students, and also to make the drive-through lanes as efficient as possible for everyone. Positive and patient parent attitudes are a must for drive-through drop-off and pick-up.
Kindergarten is hand-to-hand dismissal. All Kindergarten students are to be dropped off and picked up directly to and from the kindergarten gate. Kindergarten parents must park in a legal parking place and walk their child to and from the gate. Drive Through Procedures do not apply to Kindergarteners.
Where can I park for drop-off and pick-up if I don’t want to drive through?
There is ample street parking along Levante, Romeria, and nearby streets in the front of the school, and also in the back of school along Segovia Street. There is one point of access for drop-off and pick-up in the back of school: just off of Segovia & Gaviota. If you arrive after 7:45 AM for drop-off or after 2:10 PM for pick-up, be prepared to park a little farther away and enjoy our fabulous San Diego weather during your short walk to school. Please obey all traffic rules and crosswalks when driving and parking, for the safety of our students.
What time does school start and end?
– Monday–Thursday, school starts at 8:00 AM and ends at 2:20 PM.
– Fridays, school starts at 8:00 AM and ends at 12:45 PM.
Note: Kindergarten parents must communicate to their teacher who will be picking their child up, as we keep Kindergarteners in the classrooms until the prearranged adult (or older sibling) arrives at the classroom to pick up the student.
All school gates are locked at 8:00 AM every morning, and open at 2:20 PM before students are let out in the afternoon.
Do I need to pack a lunch for my child?
Students should bring a snack (eaten during morning recess time), drink, and lunch each day (unless they are going to have the free lunch provided by CNS). Water fountains are available all over campus, and a filtered water bottle refill station is available to fill reusable water bottles. There are designated nut-free snack benches and lunch tables if your child has a nut allergy.
Can my child buy lunch? How? What is served?
Free meals will be available again to all enrolled EUSD students for the 2026-27 school year! This includes both breakfast and lunch! Paperwork or meal applications are not needed in order for your child to receive free meals; however, families may still apply for free/reduced priced meals in order to receive additional benefits that span across other district and community programs. Visit our EUSD’s Child Nutrition Services website for more information.
We recommend our Kindergarten students bring lunch the first few days (or whatever makes sense for your child) of the year as there are a lot of routines to learn at a new school.
When will I find out my child’s teacher?
All students will receive their teacher assignment by e-mail the Friday afternoon before school starts. (If you did not receive the email, you may stop by the front office on the first day of school to learn your teacher assignment.) Kindergarteners will be able to meet their teachers and classmates at the Kinder Social on August 7th at 4:00pm.
What school supplies should my child bring on the first day? Where do I find teachers’ school supply lists?
LCH does not distribute grade-level or teacher supply lists, as all essential supplies are provided by the school (and supplemented by PTA donations). Teachers may ask for some donations at the start of the school year. For your child’s ease, we recommend ensuring your child has a backpack, lunch box, and reusable water bottle – all clearly labeled with their name and grade. Please remember to send a snack with your child each day to have at recess time. If you have questions about supplies, please reach out to your child’s teacher directly.
Is it true iPads are provided for every student? Even Kindergarteners?
Yes! Our district is very fortunate to be able to provide a 1:1 Digital Learning Program, which means that every student–Kindergarten through Sixth Grade–will be assigned an iPad for the school year. Kindergarteners do not take their school iPads home, and other grades/classes make those determinations on a class-by-class basis. If you have questions about which apps will be used in your child’s classroom, please reach out to your child’s teacher directly.
Can my child ride a bike to school? Are there bike racks on campus? Where?
We have limited bike racks for students near the 400 building located near the baseball field. Use of these bike racks is limited to students 3rd grade and higher. It is advisable to provide a lock for your child’s bike and teach them how to use it properly. All bikes, scooters, skateboards, etc. must be walked (not ridden) once you are on school grounds. Helmets are always required. Like last school year, all students will be required to apply for a permit ID tag for their bicycle if they are planning on riding to school. Students wishing to ride a Bike or eBike must complete this application and attend an Encinitas Union School District (EUSD) approved Bike / eBike Safety Presentation. More details to come.
I have an incoming Kindergartener … what is the first day of school like?
So much fun! We encourage you to arrive at school a little early to accommodate for first-day parking volume and to not have your child feel rushed during their first day’s drop-off. The classroom doors are often decorated, and it makes for a great photo opp! A quick hug, wishes of good luck, and a confident and prompt parent departure when the time comes can ease separation anxiety for the children on this big day. (You can do it! Your child is in great hands.) At some point in the morning if you are still lingering around your child’s classroom, Principal Galassi or other staff members will likely invite you to leave so your child can get started on their kindergarten year free of parent distractions.
My child is in before and/or after-school care (Right at School) at school. Do they come get my child, or if not, where should they go?
Before school, Kindergarteners are walked to their classrooms and after school Kindergartners are picked up after school by RAS staff at their classroom door. The teachers have a list of which students are going to RAS. 1st-6th grade students are allowed to walk directly to the RAS classroom after school where roll will be taken. You can contact RAS directly for more information.
How do I report a child’s absence from school?
Call the LCH 24-Hour Attendance Line: (760) 944-4377 and leave a message before 10 am the day of their absence. You can also email Rena Pocius our School Services Secretary with the details of your child’s absence. You may note several days of absence in advance if needed.
I would like to be involved with the school in some way. How do I do that?
Thank you for your interest! There are so many different ways to get involved, whether in the classroom (see your teacher for volunteer needs), or with the school overall.
We invite you to attend our Volunteer Training & Welcome on Wednesday, August 26th, where you can learn more about various parent committees, roles, and volunteering in general. We have tremendous parent involvement at LCH … and this is a great opportunity to meet more LCH parents too!
Whether you are a stay-at-home parent, a working parent, have a lot of time to give, or just a little, we welcome your participation and likely have the perfect role for you! Parent involvement and support is one of the things that makes LCH so special. Thank you for volunteering to be a part of that.
How do I stay up to date on things happening at LCH?
Start off by signing up to receive the Friday morning “Wise Owl Weekly” emailed newsletter by clicking here. So much school activity, info, and updates are included there! Also “like” our PTA Facebook page and Instagram accounts (lch_pta), as more timely updates and reminders (and fun photos of LCH goings-on) will be shared through those channels. Another great source of reminders, links, documents and handy tips is our PTA website (www.lacostaheightspta.org). Find other great ways to stay in the know HERE.
Any other questions? Feel free to contact us. We are here to help make your family’s time at LCH a great one!
