Student Handbook and Code of Conduct
Our School Mission:
The mission of Ridgecrest is to provide a proactive education of academic excellence where all students achieve in a respectful and safe environment that honors diversity, welcomes community, fosters positive relationships, and facilitates a desire to become a life-long learner and contributing member of society.
Our School Motto:
Dream it. Believe it. You can do it if you put your mind to it.
Attendance & Tardies
Be Great, Miss Less Than Eight!
Good attendance helps children do well in school and eventually in the workplace. Good attendance matters for school success, starting as early as prekindergarten and throughout elementary school, and helps students stay on the path to academic success. By middle and high school, poor attendance is a leading indicator of dropout. Utah’s Compulsory Education Law states that all school age children must be in attendance at school unless there is a valid and legitimate excuse. Please call the school in the morning if your child will not be in attendance that day. Students who miss five or more days of school will be sent a letter regarding the absences. Children must arrive at school on time. While students may receive make-up work to complete after an absence, the most valuable education, learning, and growth of students are only accomplished in the classroom with peer interaction and teacher support.
Checking Students In and Out of School
To ensure the safety of all our students, a child may only be checked out by an adult that is listed on Skyward as a guardian or on the emergency contact list. If not on the emergency contact list, we must have written permission to release your child to anyone other than his or her legal guardian.
Please limit checking your child out of school during the school day to emergency situations. To check out your student, please come to the main office. Parents may not go directly to a classroom to check out a child or to talk with them. All adults must show ID to check a student out. We will not send your child out of the building if you are not in the building to meet him or her.
Medication At School
Prescription or over-the-counter medication is not allowed at Ridgecrest without a doctor authorized medication form. If your child needs to receive medication during the school day, please bring the medication to the school with the Canyons School District Request For Giving Medication At School Form. You can obtain this form from the main office.
Visitors and Volunteers
All volunteers must register and be approved at www.volunteer.canyonsdistrict.org before coming to the school to volunteer or go on a field trip. Volunteers must sign-in and get a badge at the main office before going to other parts of the school. Volunteer registration must be completed online at the beginning of each school year. Scheduled visitors must check in at the front office before going to the classroom.
School and Classroom Behavior
Students are expected to adhere to the school expectations at all times. All staff members focus on reinforcing positive behaviors and reteaching expectations. The school rules that students are expected to follow everywhere in the school are:
Be Respectful 🐾 Be Responsible 🐾 Be Safe
Playground Conduct
Students will treat everyone with respect and follow directions the first time. All students are allowed to participate in any game. For safety there is no chasing or playing tag on the black-top or playground. When playing games, students use butterfly fingers to touch or tag at all times. All playground equipment should be used properly. Students will use Ro-Sham-Bo to resolve conflict.
During winter, no sliding on the hill or throwing, kicking or picking up ice or snow. If students do not follow recess rules and expectations they may lose game privileges or recess time.
Cell Phones and Electronic Devices
Cell phones and internet enabled watches may not be used during classroom time, instructional activities, or field trips. For privacy and safety, students may not take photos at school. Personal devices must remain off and in a backpack during class time. Any other electronic devices may only be brought to school with parent AND teacher permission. All electronics, including cell phones, are brought at your own risk and the district is not responsible for them. If expectations are not followed, the device will be held in the office for pick up by a guardian.
Bicycles/Scooters
Students may ride bicycles and scooters to school. Students must walk their bikes and scooters on school property. The school will not be responsible for lost or stolen items. A bicycle rack is located on the east side of the school. Students need to bring a lock to secure their bicycles and scooters on this rack. Students who do not follow the rules may lose the privilege of having a bike or scooter at school. Skateboards, rollerblades, and curb grinding are not allowed at school.
Dangerous or Disruptive Conduct
The following behavior is defined as “dangerous or disruptive conduct” and is not allowed on school property, at school-sponsored activities, or while traveling in school vehicles like school buses.
● Bullying—Bullying is an act of aggression or unwanted behavior that is repeated, and used to isolate, harm, or control another person. Bullying is different from behavior that is mean, or rude. Students are taught about these types of behavior, how to seek help when needed, and how to watch for and help others to ensure safety for all.
● Drugs and Alcohol—Any illegal drugs, inhalants, alcohol, or the distribution of these items are not allowed at school.
● Sexual Misconduct—Sexual Misconduct is any unwelcome sexual actions or conduct that is both non-physical or physical undertaken to offend the sensibilities of any person, including sexual advances, lewd gestures, words or other communication of a sexual nature that has the effect of threatening or intimidating the person against whom such conduct is directed.
Students who engage in this behavior may be suspended from school.
● Vandalism—Injuring, damaging, or destroying school or staff property on purpose is not allowed.
● Weapons of any kind—Students cannot have weapons at school. This includes copies or replicas of weapons, even if it is not working or is designed for another use other than as a weapon.
Students are encouraged to tell a trusted adult about any dangerous or disruptive behavior.
Dress Code
Students should be dressed appropriately and respectfully for the activities and weather of the day including shoes for running and playing and a coat when cold.
Summary
This handbook is written for parents and students to read, discuss and understand together. All information here aligns to Canyons School District policies. For a complete list of Canyons’ policies, please visit www.canyonsdistrict.org.
Students who choose not to follow the rules may lose their recess and/or other privileges.
Frequent or serious violations of the code will be investigated and, if necessary, a parent conference held. Violations may result in suspension from school.
