Our Vision
Empowering students to become successful, life-long learners.

Our Mission

All Students.

All Essentials.

All the Time!

Our Commitment
We commit to creating a caring, safe environment that supports high expectations, student voice, responsibility, independence, and social-emotional competencies. Our teachers will continuously raise expectations for each student, regardless of achievement level. Teachers use clear criteria, rigorous instruction and intentional scaffolding to help students set goals, assess themselves, and respond to feedback.

Welcome to Rocky Ridge Elementary School! Our school is a special place because you will quickly learn that all of our staff work together to meet your child(ren)'s needs. During their time here, your child will have many different teachers who will push and support them through their schooling. You can expect to have regular communication from your teachers and have opportunities to guide and help the learning process as well. We believe that creating positive partnerships is the foundation to educational success and we are excited to partner with you!

When to keep your student home from school…

• Vomiting more than once in 24 hours
• Fever over 100.4 degrees, needs to be fever free for 24hrs before returning to school
• Oozing wounds
• Vomiting once combined with a temperature or diarrhea
• Unexplained rash
• Runny nose and cough combined with a temperature

If a student is found to have lice, the student's parents will be notified to remove their child from school. The student must be louse and nit free before returning to school. (Policy 3436)

When do we call home?

• Vomiting (even once)
• Fever (100.4 or higher)
• Groin, head or eye injury
• Oozing gaping wounds
• Persistent lethargy
• “Accidents”

Please make sure we have more than one way to contact you in case of an emergency and/or illness.

Medications @ School

Prescription or nonprescription medication (including cough drops) can only be taken at school if there are specific written directions from a licensed healthcare professional and signed written permission from a parent or guardian. Over-the-counter medications are not kept at school for student use. If your child requires medication during school hours, contact Nurse Jaci or Mrs. Mitchell.

• All medications taken at school require a healthcare provider order including: prescription(s), over-the-counter, lotions, & “Chapstick”.

• Both the healthcare provider & legal guardian must sign medication orders.

• Medication orders must be renewed each year.

• Medication must come properly labeled & in the original container.

• Check the expiration date. If possible, bring in the medication that doesn't expire until the last day of June.

• An inhaler may be carried by the student with permission from his/her healthcare provider AND parent permission. It must be specified that this is okay on the order form & student must demonstrate proper use to the school nurse. WA State recommends that a backup inhaler be kept in the health room if your student carries his/her own inhaler at school.

• If your student uses an inhaler at home, they should have an inhaler at school.

All Health Forms can be found at: https://www.bethelsd.org/Domain/5151

Health Room Contact Information

“Nurse Jaci” (School Nurse): 253-800-5068 or jsweet@bethelsd.org 

Mrs. Mitchell (Health Clerk): 253-800-5093 or tamitchel@bethelsd.org 

24-Hour Attendance Line: 253-800-5093

Rocky Ridge attendance policies and procedures are in accordance with Bethel School District policies.
Full language of the policies is available on the Bethel website.

Attendance and Success Go Hand-in-Hand

Here at Rocky Ridge and in the Bethel School District we are making a special effort that all students fully benefit from their education by attending school regularly. Consistent attendance will help your child(ren) do well at Rocky Ridge and beyond.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Starting in kindergarten, too many absences (excused and unexcused) can cause children to fall behind in school.

• Missing 10 percent (or about 18 days) increases the chance that your student will not read or master math at the same level as their peers.

• Being late for school may lead to poor attendance.

• Absences can affect the whole classroom if the teacher has to slow down learning to reteach.

• By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of the three signs that a student may drop out of high school.

• By 9th grade, regular and high attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th grade test scores.

WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU

• Ensure your student attends daily and is successful in school.

o Set a regular bedtime and morning routine.

o Avoid appointments and extended trips when school is in session.

o Develop a backup plan for getting to school (i.e., call on family members, neighbors, friends).

• If your student is going to be absent, please submit an absence request via ParentVUE or contact our building attendance clerk, Tanya Mitchell (253-800-5093) before or on the day of absence. If a student has not been reported absent from school, the Attendance Clerk will call home or the emergency contact numbers to establish the safety of the child. The safety and health of each student is of critical concern to us. You will also receive a robocall that day from the school by noon if we have not been notified.

• Rocky Ridge also accepts phone calls for absences or late arrivals 24 hours a day (253.800.5093 or tamitchel@bethelsd.org). If you send a note with your child, you can check your student’s attendance in ParentVue to verify that the note made it to the attendance office, and the absence has been noted.

Regular and punctual attendance is a habit directly related to student success. Students need to attend school every day if our staff are to do their best job of educating our students. Good attendance is also state law! Guardians/parents are responsible for sending their children to school, to make sure their children are in school on time each day; to encourage their children to come to school with a mental attitude which fosters learning, to communicate accurately with the school concerning their child’s attendance.

• Students arriving for school late will go directly to the Attendance/Health Room.

• If your child is leaving school before dismissal time (3:05pm), parents/guardians must sign their student out through the main office.

• If you are planning for upcoming absences extending more than 2 days, make sure to get a “Pre-arranged Absence form’’ from the attendance office. The principal may or may not excuse the absence depending on various circumstances.

• Students will make-up all the work and tests determined by their teacher. It is the student’s and guardian’s responsibility to check with the teacher about work that is to be made up and when work is to be turned in.

• Parents/guardians are encouraged to view ParentVue to report absences and to view absences.

OUR PROMISE

There are many staff members at Rocky Ridge that are prepared to help with attendance. We promise to track attendance daily, to notice when your student is missing from class, communicate with you to understand why they were absent and to identify barriers to support you in overcoming challenges you may face in helping your student attend school. Our social worker, attendance clerk, and/or assistant principal support attendance at the building level. Do not hesitate if you have specific questions or need support.

If you would like to meet with our assistant principal (Mrs. Kaasa) regarding your student’s attendance and/or learn more about how we can help you with your student’s academic success, please email Mrs. Kaasa at mkaasa@bethelsd.org or call our office at 253-800-5000.

 

STATE LAWS AND SCHOOL POLICIES

It is vital that you understand Bethel School District Policies and Procedures, as well as the Washington State Law. The Becca Bill requires children ages 8 to 17 to attend a public school, private school, or a district approved homeschool program. Children that are 6 or 7 years-old are not required to be enrolled in school. However, if parents enroll their child who is between 6 and 7 years old, the student must attend full-time.

Rocky Ridge is required to take daily attendance and notify you when your student has an unexcused absence.

Absences

Per school board policy 3122,

• THREE UNEXCUSED ABSENCES in one month, state law (RCW 28A.225.020), requires a scheduled conference with you and your student to identify the barriers and support available to ensure regular attendance. The district is obligated to develop a plan that may require an assessment to determine how to meet the needs of your students and reduce absenteeism.

• FIVE EXCUSED ABSENCES in a month and/or TEN+ EXCUSED ABSENCES accumulated in a school year requires at least one district employee to identify the barriers and support available to you and your student. A meeting is not required if your student provides a medical note, a signed prearranged absence, or if the parent, student and school have made a plan. If your student has a IEP or 504 Plan, the team that created the plan will need to possibly reconvene.

• SEVEN UNEXCUSED ABSENCES in a month or FIFTEEN UNEXCUSED ABSENCES accumulated within the school year, requires a petition to be filed with Pierce County Juvenile Court, alleging a violation of RCW28A.225.010, the mandatory attendance laws. If your student continues to be truant, you may be required to appear in court.

If a student has frequent absences, parents may be required to provide a doctor’s note. Once doctor verification is required, all absences for illnesses will remain unexcused until documentation is provided. This means that documentation is required if your child is gone for ANY illness, injury, or appointment. You can always send the student to school and have our nurse/health clerk verify the student is well enough to stay (if a medical appointment cannot be arranged).

EXCUSED ABSENCES- BOARD POLICY 3122

Be sure your student attends school unless the absence meets one of the following criteria:

• Participation in a district or school approved activity or instructional program;

• Illness, health condition, or medical appointment (including but not limited to medical, counseling, dental, or optometry) for the student or person for whom the student is legally responsible;

• Family emergency, including but not limited to a death or illness in the family;

• Religious or cultural purpose including observance of a religious or cultural holiday or participation in religious or cultural instruction;

• Court, judicial proceeding or serving on a jury;

• Post-secondary, technical school or apprenticeship program visitation or scholarship interview;

• State-recognized search and rescue activities consistent with RCW28A.225.055;

• Absence directly related to the student’s homeless status;

• Absences related to deployment activities of parent or legal guardian who is an active-duty member consistent with

RCW.28A.705.010;

• Absence resulting from disciplinary/corrective action (e.g., short-term or long-term suspension, emergency expulsion); and

• Principal/ Assistant Principal (or designee) and parent, guardian, or emancipated youth mutually agreed upon approved activity.

 

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Attendance and Truancy Legal Requirements > Elementary Students

School-Wide Positive Student Recognition

Individual Student Recognition:

• Character in Action (CIA) Awards: Each staff member has the opportunity to award students with a CIA award if they recognize the student displaying the following: showing respect, solving problems, and making good decisions. When a student receives a CIA award, they will deposit it into the CIA basket in their classroom, which will be drawn from for a weekly prize drawing. Two students from each classroom are awarded weekly.
  
  
• Rock Stars of the Week: At Rocky Ridge we celebrate students for character, academics, and attendance. Each week, classroom teachers draw two CIA’s from their classroom CIA basket, and award two students with the recognition of being named the “Rock Star of the Week”. Winning students’ names are announced over the intercom every Friday morning, and Rock Star students are celebrated during recess and get to wear a special lanyard all day!
  
  
• Birthday Recognition: Every Friday, the names of all students who celebrated a birthday that week will have their name announced over the intercom and will be asked to come to the office to receive a special birthday surprise.
  
  
• Rock Star Assemblies: A Rock Star Assembly is held four times a year to recognize students who have been chosen for showing emotional management, empathy, problem solving, and skills for learning. Parents will be notified by teachers, and invited to attend the assembly if their student will be receiving an award at our monthly assembly. Students with perfect attendance during that month are also recognized.
  
  
• Ridge Climber Student Recognition Awards: Students are recognized for their academic improvement and excellence two times per year, after the winter and spring District Assessment windows.
  
  There are two types of awards issued:
  • Academic Improvement Award – A certificate in Reading or Math is awarded to students who have exceeded expected growth in reading or math.
  • Academic Excellence Award – A certificate in Reading or Math is awarded to students who have demonstrated that they have met or exceeded grade level standards for both the winter and spring assessment periods.

Whole-Class Recognition:

• Classroom Behavior Awards (CBA): Each staff member has the opportunity to award classrooms with a whole-class Classroom Behavior Award (CBA). Entire classrooms can earn a CBA for showing the Rocky Ridge Way: 1) Outstanding Hallway Behavior, 2) Exceptional Classroom Behavior, 3) Tremendous Lunchroom Behavior, 4) Incredible Line Behavior. Specialists may choose to use these awards to recognize classrooms with exceptional behavior. Classrooms are awarded special recognition and rewards for earning CBA’s.
• Climbing the Rocky Ridge Mountain: As classrooms collect CBA’s, they earn the opportunity to climb our Rocky Ridge Mountain, which is displayed in the main hallway. Classrooms are awarded with prizes for reaching each level on the Rocky Ridge Mountain. Rewards increase in value as classrooms approach the 8th level summit.
• Golden Broom Award: At our Rock Star Assembly, one classroom from each of our three lunch times is chosen by our custodian, and awarded a golden broom to proudly display in their classroom. Winning classrooms are chosen for demonstrating appropriate lunchroom behavior and maintaining a clean area during lunchtime.

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Student Rights and Responsibilities

It is the expectation of our school and the Bethel School District that all students, parents and guardians read the Student Rights and Responsibilities to become familiar with the expectations for conduct in the Bethel School District. All students will be expected to abide by these guidelines and rules. Office discipline will follow the guidelines in the Student Rights and Responsibilities, even if the student claims they were not aware of the school or district guidelines. Student Rights and Responsibilities can be found on our website.

https://www.bethelsd.org/rres under the Resource tab.

Electronic Devices/Toys/Athletic Equipment

The school/district is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal athletic equipment, cards, iPods, MP3 players, digital cameras, cell phones, CD players and other high-tech computer equipment brought to school. If any of these items are observed being used inappropriately, the item will be confiscated by a staff member and placed in the front office. The student can take it home at the end of the day. Upon the second offense, the item will be held in the office for a parent to pick up. If a student gets the item taken away more than two times, progressive discipline will be assigned in addition to having the item held in the office for a parent to pick up. The school cannot be responsible for these items. Personal electronic devices are permitted based on teacher discretion for instructional purposes only.

Firearms

It is unlawful for any student to carry onto any school premises, school provided transportation, or areas with facilities being used exclusively by the public any firearms or weapon.

Students who violate the firearm policy will be expelled from school for a minimum of one calendar year in accordance with RCW 28A.600.420. Parents must be notified of the imposition of the expulsion and their right to a hearing and appeal. The principal or designee shall notify appropriate law enforcement personnel of known or suspected violations of the firearms policy. (Policy 3249)

“The Rocky Ridge Way”

Rocky Ridge Elementary School staff and students work together to help each other reach their fullest potential. Everyone is treated with respect and dignity. Any behavior or action that helps someone grow and mature is encouraged. Staff members keep students focused on our CODE OF CONDUCT.

• Make good decisions
• Solve problems
• Show respect

Throughout the year, we emphasize our goal, “Every student, without exception and without excuse, will be proficient or advanced in reading, math and writing.” These efforts help Rocky Ridge Elementary School be a safe, positive, warm and inviting place where new learning occurs every day.

Reporting Behavior NOT Meeting Expectations: Staff Guidelines for Teaching Students Responsibility & Discipline

All staff members contribute to Rocky Ridge Elementary School’s friendly, inviting environment. We set the tone through our actions and attitudes. Our support and encouragement will be demonstrated through four important procedures:

• We will teach students expectations of responsible behavior in every school environment by relating student actions to our mission, and to the importance of being responsible, trying one’s best, cooperating and treating everyone with respect.
• We will provide feedback to students when they are meeting expectations and following the Rocky Ridge Way.
• When minor misbehavior does occur, staff will view the misbehavior as a teaching opportunity, responding with calm, consistent corrections or consequences.
• We work collaboratively to solve problems that are chronic or severe in nature.

Behavior Referrals: Behavior Incident Forms

There are times when students do not demonstrate the behavior expectations listed in the behavior matrix. When this happens at Level 2 (Minor Behaviors) or Level 3 (Major Behaviors), a Behavior Incident Report Form is filled out and the behavior is reported to teachers and/or administrators. When inappropriate behavior occurs, it is important to connect with the student first and then correct their behavior.  Consequences are addressed depending on the level of behavior. Some behaviors are considered Level 2 behaviors and some are Level 3 behaviors. Level 2 behaviors are handled by the teacher or referring staff member. Level 3 behaviors are handled by administration. The Behavior Incident Report form below lists these behaviors.

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Discipline Offenses: Staff handled vs. Office Referral

Making clear which problem behaviors will be sent to the office and which will be handled by faculty/staff sends two important messages to students: 1.) The office is a serious place for serious infractions. 2.) All school faculty/staff take responsibility and have the authority to maintain an environment that is safe and conducive to the growth of all students.

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Behavior Incident Report Form: The behavior report form is used to communicate behavior to students and families and teachers, collect data for the SWIS/Illuminate behavior database (used by PBIS teams for decision making), track individual student behavior, and track the success of intervention programs. The behavior report form must be completed for all level 2 and 3 behaviors. The forms are stored in the office on top of the filing cabinets. They are NCR duplicate forms:

• White – office copy

• Yellow – classroom teacher copy

• Pink – family copy

The behavior report form is completed by the person who observes the inappropriate behavior. This is the “referring staff” member and there is a place for the referrer to write their name on the report.

Level 2 – Minor Behaviors: If it is level 2 behavior… the referrer handles the behavior by completing the form and administering the appropriate interventions and/or consequences listed on the bottom of the form. The referrer peels off the pink page and hands it to the student to take home for family information. The referrer places the white and yellow copy (still attached) in the mailbox of the assistant principal (next to the door of the assistant principal's office) so the information can be entered into the data system.

Level 3 – Major Behaviors: If it is Level 3 behavior… the Behavior Incident Report form should be completed by the referring staff member. The student should be sent to the office with the form completed. The person sending the student should provide a written explanation that details what happened. Please note, only the name of the student receiving the referral should be on the form. Other student names (witnesses and other students involved) should be written on another piece of paper/sticky note. Students must not be sent to the office without a Behavior Incident Report form completed. Upon receiving the level 3 referral, the administrator will conduct a full investigation and the administrator will offer the appropriate interventions and/or consequences. The administrators will hand the pink copy of the form to the student to take home after the investigation.

After the behavior is addressed, the assistant principal will have the white and yellow copy of the form. The yellow copy will be placed in the mail-box of the classroom teacher. The white copy will be placed in a folder for the CICO person to enter the information into SWIS. Once the data is entered into SWIS, the form will be returned to the assistant principal for filing in an individual student file in the behavior filing cabinet.

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Consequences for Student Behavior

As we implement our basic classroom and school management procedures, we know that the great majority of our students will strive to meet expectations for responsibility and self-discipline. However, we also know that no single set of procedures will work to help every student develop the behavioral skills and attitudes needed to be successful in school. Therefore, we will design a series of interventions for any students who have been motivated by our school-wide procedures. As we adapt our procedures, the focus will remain positive, while recognizing the continuing need for fair and consistent consequences.

All behavior presents an opportunity to teach. In order for students to learn, they must feel like they are valued and important despite their behavior. For this reason, all conversations about behavior must focus first on connecting with the student and building a positive relationship. If necessary, give the student space to calm down and then work to connect with the student and affirm their feelings. Listen to how they are feeling about the situation and then correct their behavior by asking students how they can fix the situation. If necessary, the staff member will offer suggestions about how to correct behavior.

Level 1 Consequences: These consequences are designed by the teacher/staff. They should aim to provide instruction to students about behavior and provide students with an opportunity to improve their behavior. These are some consequences teachers and staff can use.

• Non-Verbal Warning
• Verbal Warning
• Calm down corner
• Loss of Privileges
• Parent Phone calls

Level 2 Consequences: The consequences for level 2 and 3 behaviors are listed on the Behavior Report Form. Consequences should not promote isolation of the student as this will work to undermine positive relationships and the adoption of positive behaviors. Consequences should focus on methods of instruction to help change behavior. Consequences are not meant to penalize students unduly.

• Documentation & Parent Notification: Parent email or note, Behavior Incident Report form, and phone call when needed (Tier 3).
• Loss of Privilege: Revoke computer privileges, loss of recess, and/or lunch in office.
• Staff Member and Student Conference: Focusing on ways to positively change behavior and an emphasis on what the student needs in order to meet expectations.
• Break: Students take a break (calming area) to get back on track. This sometimes looks like a student filling out a form about behaviors and how to change them. Teachers will set up a calm down area to provide a safe place where a student may be sent to calm their body, complete a rethinking or processing sheet, and go back when in control. Students may return earlier at the discretion of the teacher. The calm down concept is designed to help a student make responsible choices to get back to learning in his/her own room.
• Parent phone calls regarding alleged misconduct: Agreement with parent and student on ways to change behavior. Phone calls could become weekly as a check-in, if needed.
• Restitution: Clean lunch room, classroom or mess made. Pick up garbage outside with tongs and custodian supervision.
• Behavior Contract: Within contact there could be rewards tied into meeting specific behaviors.

Level 3 Consequences: Tier 3 behaviors result in an office referral. Consequences are assigned in alignment with district policies. The goal is to have 0 suspensions. Administrators assign consequences based on the nature of the behavior and the history of the student exhibiting the behavior. Administrators will work to assign consequences in ways that promote the dignity of the student and meet individual student needs, particularly for students on behavior IEPs. We will always take a teaching stance as to the consequences. Only administrators or designee(s) can assign Tier 3 consequences.

• Time in Office: Non-participation in school activities will be the consequence of most Tier 3 behaviors. Students will spend short amounts of time in the office. This will usually be during recess, where the privilege of unstructured time is removed for students.
• Character School: Please note this is sometimes done by a classroom teacher or admin, depending on location. Recess and lunchroom situations are handled by admin or if it is a major behavior. As part of our progressive discipline efforts, students can be referred to Character School after school with an assigned staff member. During this time, students will participate in a lesson and goal-setting to help support better decision-making over their behavior.
• Out-of-School Suspensions (OSS): Rocky Ridge is working to meet the district goal of zero suspensions and to reduce the loss of instructional time for students with high behavior needs. Suspensions are only given to students who physically harm another student through assault or fighting and are not able to modify their behavior to remain at school. Out-of-school suspensions are only given out when there is a risk to the safety of adults and children in the building.