Student Handbook
Expectations for Hilltop Huskies are: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Do the Right Thing
Vision
Hilltop is a diverse community where we set high expectations, support learning, and celebrate academic and personal growth.
Mission
In order to support our vision at Hilltop, we:
- Set high expectations by holding all students accountable for their learning
- Support learning by using data from a variety of assessment tools to drive instruction through collaborative planning.
- Acknowledge and celebrate student effort and achievement in academic and social areas.
- Attendance & Becca Guidelines
- Husky Pride
- Common Areas
- Discipline
- Lost & Found
- Daily Schedule
- Volunteers
- Breakfast & Lunch
- Messages for Students
- Personal Property (Including Cell Phones)
- Phone Policy
- Bicycles
- Harassment, Intimidation & Bullying
- Discrimination
- Sexual Harassment
- Complaint Options
- Gender Inclusive Schools
Attendance & Becca Guidelines
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.
Husky Pride
Common Areas
Discipline
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.
Lost & Found
Daily Schedule
Volunteers
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.
Breakfast & Lunch
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.
Messages for Students
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 Property (Including Cell Phones)
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.
Phone Policy
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.
Bicycles
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.
Harassment, Intimidation & Bullying
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
Discrimination
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
Sexual Harassment
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
Complaint Options
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
Gender Inclusive Schools
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
Communication
Thursday Packets
All general school correspondence, including PTA notices and announcements from community organizations, will be sent home as a packet of information on Thursdays. Often these packets will include items (picture envelopes, surveys, etc.) that must be returned to school. Please look through this information each week, remove information, and send folder back to school with student.
Keep yourself informed
Please notify the office of any changes to your contact information so we can ensure you receive up to date information. The school uses multiple methods to communicate with families about school events, emergencies and general information.
- Newsletters: Our school newsletter will be sent home once a month. It may also be accessed through our school website.
- Website: hilltop.highlineschools.org
- Other ways to receive information about school events: Peachjar, Reader Board, robocalls and emails
Conferences and Report Cards
Classroom teachers communicate students’ progress with parents/guardians throughout the year. Formal Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday immediately prior to Thanksgiving when parents will receive the first report card. During this 3-day conference period in November, there will be no school for students; however, students are expected to attend conferences with their parents/guardians. Additional report cards will be sent home with students in the middle of March and again on the last day of the school year. A parent/guardian may confer with his/her child’s teacher at any time during the school year by making an appointment with the teacher.
Emergency Information
- Emergency Information Cards
- Snow Days - (Emergency Changes to the School Schedule)
- Emergency Drills
- Releasing Students during a Schoolwide Emergency
Emergency Information Cards
Emergency Cards are kept in the office. These cards must be updated each year. In the event of an emergency, it is imperative that we know where the children are to go, who can pick them up, current phone numbers, and how to reach parents/family contacts. Please notify the office of any changes that take place during the school year.
Snow Days - (Emergency Changes to the School Schedule)
In the event of an emergency closure, the most accurate report can be found at www.highlineschools.org.
In addition, Highline District will notify the news media. Stay tuned to area radio or television stations for an announcement that will tell you of any school closures, one or two hour delays, or limited bus transportation.
Hilltop Elementary School will be affected by emergency closures or delays ONLY if you hear HIGHLINE SCHOOLS mentioned. If Highline Public Schools is not mentioned, then school and buses will be operating normally.
Please listen to the RADIO and check ONLINE for the information. DO NOT CALL the school, transportation office or the district offices. Information is also available on Facebook and Twitter.
Emergency Drills
Releasing Students during a Schoolwide Emergency
It is our primary responsibility to keep students safe during an emergency. In order to accomplish this, please follow the proper procedures for picking up students after a school-wide emergency such as fire or earthquake.
- If students have returned to the building, report to the office to check them out of school.
- If students are unable to return to the building, they must wait with their class at the evacuation areas. People must check in at the student release station in order to pick up a student.
- Students will be released only to people listed on their Emergency Cards.
- Runners will notify students to come to the release station after all the appropriate paperwork has been completed.
- People who are not students, staff, or identified volunteers will be directed to a waiting area to meet their students. They are not to walk out to the student area.
Thank you for following the listed procedures. It will allow us to ensure the safety of each student.
Student Safety
School Visitations
Visitors between the hours of 8:15 a.m. thru and 3:15 p.m. are required to sign in at the office and wear a visitor badge while on school property. Parents are welcome to visit their child’s classroom. Please make arrangements with your child’s teacher at least 24 hours in advance. Meetings with teachers should be before 8:35 in the morning or after 3:20 in the afternoon as teachers must be available to supervise students before and after school. We ask that the following rules be followed by visitors:
- Sign in at the office upon your arrival before going to an assigned class.
- Be mindful that classes are in session when walking through the halls. Keep conversations quiet.
- Wear a Visitor/Volunteer badge at all times so Hilltop staff is aware that you checked in at the office.
Student Dismissal
(Other than a school-wide early release or emergency)
As a safety precaution, we release children only to people listed on your child’s Emergency Information Card. Although space is limited, feel free to attach more names than fit on the two lines provided. Your child will not be released early to anyone other than those listed on the Emergency Card without a note signed by the same person who signed the back of the emergency card. Our office staff may ask for photo identification of anyone who comes to pick up your child.
Students may not be picked up at their classrooms. An office staff member will have your child meet you in the office.
Arrival
Health Information
Medication at School
Medication may not be given to your child without a written physician’s order. This includes over-the-counter medicines, eye ointment, eye drops, ear medications, nose spray, cough drops, etc. If it is necessary for medicine to be administered at school, parents need to provide the following:
- A current physician’s order which includes the name(s) of the medicine, plus the time(s) and amount(s) to be dispensed.
- A medical authorization form signed by the parent and doctor giving school personnel permission to administer the medication. These forms are available in the office or online.
- All medication must be in pharmacy containers with the current date. They will be stored in the school clinic.
- Only trained personnel will administer the medication. No medications may be in your child’s possession while at school.
Immunizations
For the protection of your child, Washington State law requires that we have a Certificate of Immunization Status (CIS) on file for each student. This certificate must be presented at the time the student is registered for school. These forms and current immunization guidelines are available in the school office or online.
If your child’s record shows that immunizations are needed, the school nurse will contact you. All immunizations are the parents’ responsibility. Immunizations are not given at school.
Injuries, Illness, and Diseases
The school staff is trained to administer first aid for minor injuries. In the event of a serious injury, 911 will be called. Parents/guardians will be notified as soon as possible of all serious injuries.
If a student becomes ill, parents/guardians will be called to take the child home. If we are unable to reach the parent/guardian, we will contact the designated emergency contact. If this person is not available, we will keep your child in our health room until someone can be reached.
Please send your child to school unless he/she has a fever or has vomited in the past 24 hours. If your child becomes ill during the night or is sick in the morning, please do not send him/her to school.
The school nurse should be contacted if your child has a communicable disease such as measles, chicken pox, German measles, mumps, scarlet fever, fifth disease, whooping cough, hepatitis, or AIDS. Please contact the nurse if your child has any rashes. These may be infectious and will need to be treated. A child with an unidentified rash may not be allowed to remain at school.
Head Lice
There is limited playground supervision before school. Students should arrive at school no earlier than 8:15 a.m. for breakfast and 8:25 a.m. to line up. All students should report to breakfast or their class line before school. Students need to be seated and ready to learn by 8:45 a.m. when the tardy bell rings.
Transportation
Transportation Routines
Please establish a routine for your child’s transportation to and from school. Students who walk home from school are expected to do so immediately after school. If they wish to go to a friend’s house, students must make arrangements before coming to school or after they arrive home. Students who ride the bus must report directly to their designated bus line. Students who are picked up are expected to wait for their rides at the white curb in the front of the school. If a child has not been picked up by 3:25, the office will attempt to contact a parent/guardian.
Dropping Off & Picking Up Students
Parking Lot Etiquette
Thank you for your patience and concern for our children’s safety Traffic is ONE WAY – SPEED LIMIT 5 MPH.
- Students are to be dropped off and picked up at the white curb only. Always pull forward to fill gaps between cars.
- Students are to remain on the sidewalk until their ride arrives.
- Drivers must remain in their cars unless parked in a designated parking space. NO PARKING (driver must stay with vehicle) in the white-curbed, drop off/pick-up lane.
- CROSS ONLY AT DESIGNATED CROSSWALKS. Crosswalks are located at the entrance, exit and the middle.
- Please be courteous and cautious. Car Horns should only be used for a warning or emergency, not for calling students. Use your turn signals. If you use the angled parking, please wait until traffic clears and back up cautiously.
- If your student is not waiting when you arrive, please park in a designated parking spot.
Bus Service
School bus service is provided for students living more than one mile from school. Each student is responsible for being at the assigned bus stop five minutes before the scheduled time.
If you have any questions regarding bus service, please call Transportation at 206-631-7502.
Bus Discipline
School bus drivers have the authority to discipline students for misconduct related to school district rules. Each student is expected to follow the rules and regulations of the Highline School District Safety Rules for Bus Riders. Please see 15 Rules listed below. Misbehavior on the bus may result in short-term suspension from the bus. Ongoing misbehaviors may result in suspension for the remainder of the school year. Parents/guardians will be notified of misconduct slips written for their child.
15 School Bus Safety Rules
- Cooperate with the driver. Driver may assign seats.
- Be at the bus stop at least 5 minutes before the bus is due.
- Line up quietly in single file away from the road.
- Keep hands, head and feet inside the bus at all times.
- Stay out of the Danger Zone, 10 feet all around the bus.
- Talk quietly, remember to use your inside voice.
- Act appropriately, as though the bus is your favorite class.
- Keep the bus clean, do not eat or drink on the bus.
- Keep the bus safe, do not damage bus equipment.
- Be courteous, use no profane language.
- Do not fight, push, yell, or throw things while on the bus.
- Students may cross only in front of the bus, never behind.
- No animals, balloons, roller blades, skateboards, scooters or plants.
- Stay in your seat.
- Remember: seat to seat, back to back, face forward, feet on the floor, hands to yourself.
In This Section
School Grounds
No Smoking on School Grounds
In accordance with Washington State law, no one may smoke anywhere on school grounds. This applies to staff, parents and students.
Playground Use
The playground use is limited to students, staff, and designated volunteers between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Animals at School
No pets are allowed on campus.