Student Handbook

Attendance

Regular school attendance is necessary for mastery of the educational program provided.  State law requires students to attend school regularly and to be punctual.  Absent or late students miss valuable coursework and instruction, and may fall behind in their education. This is true even for excused absences.  Families are encouraged to not schedule appointments, vacations, or other events during school hours.  Acceptable reasons for an excused absence include:  illness, emergency, and religious or cultural holidays.  According to state and district policy, vacation during the school year is unexcused. Parents are asked when possible to call Hilltop at 206-631-4000 before 9:00 am; otherwise submit an excuse via phone, e-mail or written note upon the student’s return to school. Repeated unexcused absences or excessive excused absences results in the Becca process being set in motion.

Becca Guidelines

An unexcused absence is one that the parent has not provided a valid excuse by calling or providing a note.

After one unexcused absence, the parent or guardian will be notified.

After two unexcused absences, the school makes personal contact with the parent or guardian.

After five unexcused absences in a month,  there will be a conference held with the parents. The district shall enter into an agreement with the student and parents. If such action is not successful, the district shall file a petition and affidavit with the juvenile court no later than the seventh unexcused absence within any month or the tenth unexcused absence during the current school year.

An excused absence is when a parent has provided a excuse for the absence by providing a note or calling the school. 

5 or more excused absences in a single month, or ten or more excused absences during the school year: A conference will be held with the school and parents. 

Each week, we focus on one of the guidelines or an area of academic growth for Husky Pride Club. 

Hilltop has established procedures/routines for all common areas.  Common areas are the playground, hallways, cafeteria, restrooms, library and the school grounds.  Students are taught the procedures so they understand the behaviors that will contribute to a safe and productive learning environment.

The goal of the Hilltop discipline policy is to ensure student safety and increase responsible behavior by having clearly defined behavior expectations that are taught, practiced and reinforced. The expectations emphasize Hilltop’s 3 Rs by being Respectful, Responsible, and doing the Right thing. They describe the excellent behavior currently practiced by the vast majority of Hilltop students. All staff members encourage responsible behavior through positive interactions and feedback to students.  Consequences, verbal reminders and feedback are used to help students be more successful. Logical consequences are used when behavior is recurrent. Problem solving, conflict resolution, and restitution form the basis of all discipline. 

Minor Infractions

All minor infractions are handled on the spot; i.e., in the classroom, on the playground, or other areas of the school. Examples of minor infractions include blurting out in class, not following directions or a classroom rule, chewing gum, etc. Minor infractions that are recurring may be referred to administration as a major infraction.

Major Infractions

All major infractions will be referred to administration. Major infractions include behaviors such as assault, bullying, defiance, fighting and harassment. Referrals to administration will be disciplined in accordance with the guidelines published in the Highline Public Schools, Responsibilities and Rights, Students, Parents, and School Personnel found in the front section of the student wall calendar provided by Highline Public Schools.

Articles of clothing found on school grounds are hung on the clothes rack in the 400 building hallway. Please label your child’s clothing and other belongings with their first and last names. Articles left in the Lost and Found longer than 30 days will be donated to charity.

Parent/community volunteers serve as a vital link between home and school by providing a variety of services.  Home and school partnerships show children that school and learning are important. There are a variety of volunteer positions available for interested persons. 

In order to protect our children, the Washington State Legislature has mandated that all volunteers be cleared before being allowed to volunteer in the classroom or chaperone a field trip.  Forms are available in the office and clearance must be complete prior to any volunteer activity, including in the classroom or building. If you have completed a clearance form in a previous year, please check in the office to make sure it is still valid.

Hot meals and breakfast are served daily at Hilltop. Breakfast is served in the cafeteria between 8:15 and 8:40 a.m. each day. Breakfast and lunch may be purchased with cash, check or money order at school, or online with a credit card to a student’s prepaid Mealtime account. Checks and money orders sent to school should be made out to Hilltop Elementary. Deposits made online are available the next business day.

Students arriving late to school have the option of a “Grab and Go Breakfast”.

Food may only be consumed by students and must be consumed in the cafeteria. Adults who wish to eat must purchase a meal.

Breakfast & Lunch Prices

Current prices and menu are online at highlineschools.org under Nutrition Services. You may apply for free/reduced meals at https://apply4meals.hsd401.org.

Mealtime account balances automatically roll over into next year’s account while your child is enrolled in the district.

Free & Reduced Meal Applications

Applications are mailed to homes of enrolled students during the summer. These applications must be completed every year and returned for the current year even if you qualified in previous years. Additional applications are available in the school office. Although a student may qualify for free or reduced lunch, he/she must pay 50¢ for milk if purchased without a lunch. There is no reduced cost when purchasing milk only.

Forgotten Lunch or Lunch Money:  If a child forgets his/her lunch or money, a cereal, milk, and salad bar will be provided. An attempt will be made to contact parents if your student doesn’t have a lunch or money.  The office does not have an emergency fund for student lunches. 

Questions? Call Nutrition Services at 206-631-3010.

In the case of a family emergency, we will do our best to communicate a message from a parent/guardian to their student. Be aware that the office becomes extremely busy at the end of the day so changes to daily routine (how to get home, who to walk with, where to go after school) need to be arranged before students come to school. Messages from people other than those listed on the student’s Emergency Information Card will not be communicated to the student.

Personal items such as toys, electronic games, cell phones, cameras, radios, speakers etc. are not allowed at school. The school is not responsible for valuables or toys that students bring to school.

If a student brings a cell phone (for emergencies only) with parent permission, it must remain in a backpack and turned off.  Any use of a cell phone on school property, including covered areas, from 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. will result in the phone being taken and held in the office until a parent can pick it up.

Students may use the office or classroom phone for emergency situations to contact parents/guardians after receiving permission from their teacher. Phone use privilege does not include making last minute social arrangements or arranging rides home in inclement weather. If you need to speak with your child, we will arrange for him/her to come to the office during recess time and return your call. Do not phone or text message your child’s cell phone as they are required to keep it turned off and away in their backpack.

Children in the 4th, 5th and 6th grades only may ride bicycles to school. Highline Public Schools and King County police require helmets to be worn anytime a bicycle is ridden.  Please emphasize the importance of walking bicycles across busy intersections and supervised crossings. Students must walk their bicycles on the school grounds. Each student must have a lock to secure the bicycle in the racks. Roller blades, skateboards, scooters and other similar types are not allowed on school property during school hours. Highline Public Schools is not responsible for loss or damage to bicycles.

The Highline School District is committed to a safe and civil educational environment for all students, employees, parents/legal guardians, volunteers, and community members that is free from harassment, intimidation, or bullying. “Harassment, intimidation, or bullying” means any intentionally written message or image - including those that are electronically transmitted - verbal, or physical act, including but not limited to one shown to be motivated by race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, mental or physical disability, or other distinguishing characteristics, when an act:

• Physically harms a student or damages the student’s property.
• Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education.
• Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment; and/or
• Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.

“Other distinguishing characteristics” can include but are not limited to physical appearance, clothing or other apparel, socioeconomic status, and weight. Harassment, intimidation, and bullying can take many forms, including but not limited to, slurs, rumors, name calling, jokes, insinuations, demeaning comments, drawings, cartoons, pranks, ostracism, gestures, hazing, physical attacks, or threats. In order to ensure respect and prevent harm, it is a violation of district policy for a student to be harassed, intimidated, or bullied by others in the school community, at school sponsored events, or when such actions create a substantial disruption to the educational process.

Incident Reporting

Any student or students who believe they have been the target of unresolved, severe, or persistent harassment, intimidation, or bullying, or any other person in the school community who observes or receives notice that a student has or may have been the target of unresolved, severe, or persistent harassment, intimidation, or bullying may report incidents verbally or in writing to any staff member. You can report Harassment, Intimidation or Bullying (HIB) to any school staff member or to the district's HIB Coordinator. For a copy of your district’s HIB Policy 3207 , Procedure 3207 and Form 3207, contact your school or district office or view it online here: https://www.highlineschools.org/departments/student-support/bullying-civil-rights-sexual-harrassment Your School Compliance Official: The principal (or designee) of your school Any person having inquiries should contact:

HIB Coordinator: District Ombudsman, 206.631.3100, isuzu.niizumaarambula@highlineschools.org • Address: 15675 Ambaum Blvd. SW, Burien, WA 98166

Highline School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression and identity, marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. This holds true for all students who are interested in participating in educational programs and/or extracurricular activities. Highline Public Schools also provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.

You can report discrimination and discriminatory harassment to any school staff member or to the district's Civil Rights Coordinator. For a copy of your district’s nondiscrimination Policy 3210 and Procedure 3210, contact your school or district office or view it online here.

Your School Compliance Official: The principal (or designee) of your school Any person having inquiries should contact:

• Civil Rights Act (students) and Title IX: District Ombudsman, 206.631.3100, civilrightscoordinator@highlineschools.org; titleixofficer@highlineschools.org
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act: Health & Social Services Compliance Manager, 206.631.3011, 504coordinator@highlineschools.org
• Address: 15675 Ambaum Blvd. SW, Burien, WA 98166

Highline Public Schools is committed to a positive and productive education free from discrimination, including sexual harassment. This commitment extends to all students involved in academic, educational, extracurricular, athletic, and other programs or activities of the school, whether that program or activity is in a school facility, on school transportation or at a class or school training held elsewhere.

Definitions
For purposes of this policy, sexual harassment means unwelcome conduct or communication of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment can occur adult to student, student to student or can be carried out by a group of students or adults and will be investigated by the District even if the alleged harasser is not a part of the school staff or student body. The district prohibits sexual harassment of students by other students, employees or third parties involved in school district activities.

The term “sexual harassment” may include:

• Acts of sexual violence;
• Unwelcome sexual or gender-directed conduct or communication that interferes with an individual’s educational performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment;
• Unwelcome sexual advances;
• Unwelcome requests for sexual favors;
• Sexual demands when submission is a stated or implied condition of obtaining an educational benefit;
• Sexual demands where submission or rejection is a factor in an academic, or other school-related decision affecting an individual.

A “hostile environment” has been created for a student when sexual harassment is sufficiently serious to interfere with or limit the student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the school’s program. The more severe the conduct, the less need there is to demonstrate a repetitive series of incidents. In fact, a single or isolated incident of sexual harassment may create a hostile environment if the incident is sufficiently severe, violent, or egregious.

You can report sexual harassment to any school staff member or to the district's Title IX Officer. For a copy of your district’s sexual harassment Policy 3205 and Procedure 3205, contact your school or district office, or view it online here.

Your School Compliance Official: The principal (or designee) of your school Any person having inquiries should contact: • Title IX Coordinator: District Ombudsman, 206.631.3100, titleixofficer@highlineschools.org • Address: 15675 Ambaum Blvd. SW, Burien, WA 98166

Discrimination and Sexual Harassment

Before filing a complaint, you can discuss your concerns with the school principal or with the school district’s Title IX Officer or Civil Rights Coordinator. This is often the fastest way to revolve your concerns.

Complaint to the School District

Step 1. Write Out Your Complaint
In most cases, complaints must be filed within one year from the date of the incident or conduct that is the subject of the complaint. A complaint must be in writing. Be sure to describe the conduct or incident, explain why you believe discrimination, discriminatory harassment, or sexual harassment has taken place, and describe what actions you believe the district should take to resolve the problem. Send your written complaint—by mail, fax, email, or hand delivery—to the district superintendent or civil rights compliance coordinator.

Step 2: School District Investigates Your Complaint
Once the district receives your written complaint, the coordinator will give you a copy of the complaint procedure and make sure a prompt and thorough investigation takes place. The superintendent or designee will respond to you in writing within 30 calendar days—unless you agree on a different time period. If your complaint involves exceptional circumstances that demand a lengthier investigation, the district will notify you in writing to explain why staff need a time extension and the new date for their written response.

Step 3: School District Responds to Your Complaint
In its written response, the district will include a summary of the results of the investigation, a determination of whether or not the district failed to comply with civil rights laws, notification that you can appeal this determination, and any measures necessary to bring the district into compliance with civil rights laws. Corrective measures will be put into effect within 30 calendar days after this written response—unless you agree to a different time period. Appeal to the School District If you disagree with the school district’s decision, you may appeal to the school district’s board of directors. You must file a notice of appeal in writing to the secretary of the school board within 10 calendar days after you received the school district’s response to your complaint. The school board will schedule a hearing within 20 calendar days after they received your appeal, unless you agree on a different timeline. The school board will send you a written decision within 30 calendar days after the district received your notice of appeal. The school board’s decision will include information about how to file a complaint with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).

Complaint to OSPI

If you do not agree with the school district’s appeal decision, state law provides the option to file a formal complaint with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). This is a separate complaint process that can take place if one of these two conditions has occurred: (1) you have completed the district’s complaint and appeal process, or (2) the district has not followed the complaint and appeal process correctly.

You have 20 calendar days to file a complaint to OSPI from the day you received the decision on your appeal. You can send your written complaint to the Equity and Civil Rights Office at OSPI:

Email: Equity@k12.wa.us ǀ Fax: 360-664-2967
Mail or hand deliver: PO Box 47200, 600 Washington St. S.E., Olympia, WA 98504-7200

For more information, visit our website, or contact OSPI’s Equity and Civil Rights Office at 360-725-6162/TTY: 360-664-3631 or by e-mail at equity@k12.wa.us.

Other Discrimination Complaint Options

Office for Civil Rights,U.S. Department of Education
206-607-1600 ǀ TDD: 1-800-877-8339 ǀ OCR.Seattle@ed.gov ǀ OCR Website Washington State Human Rights Commission 1-800-233-3247 ǀ TTY: 1-800-300-7525 ǀ Human Rights Commission Website

Civil rights laws prohibit discrimination and discriminatory harassment on the basis of gender expression and gender identity in K–12 public schools. Discrimination is the unfair or unequal treatment or harassment of a person or group because they are part of a defined group, known as a protected class. Gender expression and gender identity are protected classes under Washington State law.

Discriminatory harassment is harassment based on a protected class. It can take many forms, such as threats, name-calling, derogatory jokes, physical assault, or other conduct that is physically threatening, harmful, or humiliating.

Common Terms and Definitions

• Assigned sex at birth: The sex a person was given at birth, usually based on anatomy or chromosomes (e.g., male, female, intersex, etc.)
• Cisgender: A term used to describe people whose assigned sex matches their gender identity and/or gender expression (e.g., someone who was assigned female at birth and whose gender identity and/or gender expression is also female.)
• Gender Expansive: A wider, more flexible range of gender identities or expressions than those typically associated with the binary gender system.
• Gender Expression: The external ways in which a person expresses their gender to the world, such as through their behavior, emotions, mannerisms, dress, grooming habits, interests, and activities.
• Gender Identity: A person’s internal and deeply-felt sense of being female, male, both, non-binary, gender-expansive, or other—regardless of the gender assigned at birth.
• Transgender: A term often used to describe a person whose gender identity or expression, or both, are different from those traditionally associated with their sex assigned at birth.
• Transitioning: The process in which a person goes from living and identifying as one gender to living and identifying as another.

You can report discrimination based on gender expression or gender identity to any school staff member or to the district's Gender Inclusive Schools Officer. For a copy of your district’s Gender Inclusive Schools policy and procedure, contact your school or district office, or view it online here: Policy 3211 and Procedure 3211

Any person having inquiries should contact:

• GIS Coordinator: District Ombudsman, 206.631.3100, isuzu.niizumaarambula@highlineschools.org
• Address: 15675 Ambaum Blvd. SW, Burien, WA 98166

NOTE: Nondiscrimination statement to include in School Family Publications. Please also include it at the end or the back of the Student Handbook.

Highline School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression and identity, marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. This holds true for all students who are interested in participating in educational programs and/or extracurricular activities. Highline Public Schools also provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.

Any person having inquiries should contact:

• Civil Rights Act (students) and Title IX: District Ombudsman, 206.631.3100, civilrightscoordinator@highlineschools.org; titleixofficer@highlineschools.org
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act: Health & Social Services Compliance Manager, 206.631.3011, 504coordinator@highlineschools.org
• Address: 15675 Ambaum Blvd. SW, Burien, WA 98166