Embedded Files
Red Cliffs Elementary
Student Handbook
2024-2025
1199 S. Main St., Nephi, UT 84648
Phone: 435-623-0328
Fax: 435-623-4212
Welcome to Red Cliffs Elementary! We, as a staff, are anticipating another exciting year full of outstanding educational experiences for our students. We are committed to seeing all students succeed and ensuring that each student receives every opportunity possible to learn, progress and succeed as a Red Cliffs Eagle! We hope that each student will take the opportunity to work hard, learn, and have fun during the 2024-2025 school year!
We believe parents and families are an important and essential part of our educational team. Please make yourself familiar with the information in this handbook. Our goal is to create a path of communication for parents, families, and the school staff to work collectively to provide the best possible experience for each student. We encourage you to visit us often and stay involved in your child’s education. Please feel free to call, email, or come in and see us if you have questions, need clarification, or have suggestions for strengthening our programs.
There’s a lot of excitement ahead of us, including meeting teachers and new friends, books to read, and new skills to master. We look forward to sharing this exciting time in your lives.
Thank you for your continued commitment to our students, staff, and school.
Red Cliffs Elementary Staff
The ABC’s of Important Eagle Information
Accident or Illness
Whenever an accident or illness occurs and if it is of a serious nature, we will do everything possible to contact a parent. If this is unsuccessful, we will notify your emergency contact, any doctor/medical you have listed on the student information sheet, or follow any directions that may have been given by you.
Under extreme emergencies, when we are unable to contact a parent or emergency contact, we will take the necessary steps for hospitalizing your child.
Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES will we send a child home unless the parent or person listed as the emergency contact grants permission.
Arriving Early at School
Students should not arrive at school earlier than 8:00 a.m. The exception to this is 7:50 a.m. arrival for those students eating school breakfast. Teachers and staff are in the building. However, this time in the morning is designated for preparations for the day. Adults are not supervising until 8:00 a.m.; this includes outside playgrounds.
The school building will be locked at 3:30 p.m. each afternoon. Adult supervision ends after school each day at 2:45 p.m.; this includes outside playgrounds.
Attendance
School attendance has a direct impact on a student’s level of academic and overall educational success. It is expected that all students have consistent, punctual, daily attendance. It is primarily the responsibility of the parent to ensure each student attends school daily.
It would be appreciated when your children are absent or are going to be absent, that you notify the school office at 435-623-0328.
Because attendance and punctuality are vitally important for student success, it is considered educational neglect to not make every effort to have your children in school and on time. We will make every effort to resolve attendance problems. *The parent/guardian will be contacted by letter or telephone when a student has accumulated a total of 5, 10, 15, and 20 or more absences and/or tardies (excused or unexcused) for the school year. We will make every effort to meet with parents of chronic absent and tardy students to resolve the problem. Our intention is always to work with parents in order to ensure the educational success of each student.
Bicycles
All bicycles (skateboards, scooters, heelys etc.) are to be put in the bike rack on arrival at school. Bikes etc. are not to be used during school hours. The school cannot be responsible for bikes left overnight.
Birthday Treats
Juab School District has adopted a student Wellness Policy. This policy, along with Utah State Department of Health regulations, prohibits the serving of homemade treats to children at school. It is certainly not required or expected that you send treats to school. However, if you choose to do so please follow these guidelines: Treats brought to school for activities such as birthday treats, class parties, special rewards etc., should be commercially prepared items preferably individually wrapped. Please check with your student’s classroom teacher for possible allergies to avoid.
Cell Phones/Electronic Devices
All electronic devices and cell phones should be accessed and used under the direction of a teacher or staff member during the school day. If a student brings a cell phone to school for communication purposes, it should remain in the student’s backpack, cubby etc. through the entire school day unless otherwise directed by a staff member. Electronic devices including cell phones will be taken from students during the school day if they are being used inappropriately or during an inappropriate time as determined by a teacher or staff member. Parents will be asked to pick up these devices from the office if misuse occurs. Also, watches with text or calling capabilities fall under the same guidelines as cell phones.
Classroom/School Visitors
Parents are welcome to visit the school at any time. For the safety of our students ALL visitors must first check in and obtain a visitor ID at the school office.
If you would like to visit a teacher’s class, please call and make arrangements in advance. Scheduled visits are encouraged. Scheduled classroom visits will be limited to no more than 30 minutes. Our teachers give top priority to delivering quality instruction to our students. If your visit is scheduled, our teacher will be better able to give you the attention you require and plan for continued instruction for students.
Occasionally, out-of-town cousins or friends come to visit during the school year. For liability purposes, these guests are not to accompany students to school. Child guests are often a distraction to both the teachers and other students in the classroom.
For student safety reasons, Red Cliffs Elementary is a “closed campus” during school hours from 7:30-3:30. This means that no adult is allowed past the entryway and in the building or on campus without an appointment with a teacher, school counselor, or Principal Mecham.
Parents that walk their student into the building before school will be required to drop them off in the entryway. We will have staff members available to help take students to class, breakfast, or outside to wait for school to begin.
Notice: District policy requires that ALL school volunteers and/or parents who chaperon field-trips must complete a background check through the Juab School District office. Please inquire at our school office if you are interested in this process.
Dress Policy
The purpose of the RCES dress and grooming guidelines is to promote generally acceptable standards of decency, decorum, health, safety, and cleanliness. Student dress and grooming should reflect a safe and positive learning environment for all students. The dress and grooming guidelines are not all inclusive. RCES administration and staff reserves the right to determine the appropriateness of all student clothing and grooming at school, and its disruptive impact on the classroom. Adherence to these dress and grooming guidelines is the responsibility of the student and his/her parent or guardian. Failure to adhere to them may involve sending students home to change, having parent or guardian bring a change of clothing to school, wearing alternative clothing provided by the school, dismissal from school, or restriction from participation in a school activity.
Prohibited:
• Hats, head and face covering including hooded sweatshirts, bandanas, sweatbands, do-rags, etc. worn inside the building.
• Apparel or items that contain any derogatory or profane messages, words, or images.
• Apparel or items that advertise alcohol, tobacco, and drugs or paraphernalia.
• Any items, or apparel that depict messages or images that are sexually suggestive, immoral, or offensive.
• Oversized clothing that may be determined dangerous or gang related.
• Accessories that could pose safety issues, including certain belts, wallet chains, fish hooks, multi finger rings, studded bracelets, collars, nose/lip chains.
• Any items or apparel that may signify gang affiliation.
• Facial piercing included tongue piercing. Masks or face coverings.
• Unnatural hair color or haircuts that are distracting to the learning environment.
• Sleeveless shirts, tank tops, spaghetti straps.
• Shirts that expose the midriff.
• Transparent clothing, “see through”.
• Provocative or suggestive clothing that may impede or distract from the learning environment.
• Pants or shorts that hang off the waist exposing underwear.
• Shorts/skirts that do not reach the fingertips of the students hands with their arms hanging straight down at their side.
• Pants with excessive holes.
Recommended:
• Shoes must be worn at all times at school.
• Dresses, skirts, and shorts worn are knee length.
• Clothing that doesn’t show cleavage, midriffs, or backs during normal movement.
Emergency Management Plan for Red Cliffs Elementary
In the event of an emergency at Red Cliffs Elementary School or an emergency near the school that requires the school staff to take action, the following procedures will be followed.
Building Evacuation (Fire etc.) Procedures
Staff and students will be alerted to the need for evacuation through a signal or direct communication.
A teacher using the primary/secondary evacuation routes will lead students out of the building.
Teachers will account for all students. If a student is missing, the office staff will be notified to assist with locating a student.
Classes will assemble in the primary/secondary premises gathering location.
Information/direction will be provided as needed for safe building re-entry.
Off-Premises Evacuation
If the situation/circumstances necessitate that students and staff be evacuated to an off-premises location, coordinated collaborative efforts will continue amongst school and district officials, the Juab County Sheriff’s office, district transportation personnel, and other stakeholders as deemed necessary to maintain student and staff safety and to ensure communication.
Earthquake Procedures
If indoors: In a classroom, students will stay inside, move away from windows, shelves, and heavy objects and furniture that might fall. Students will take cover under a table or desk, “Drop and Tuck.” If in a hallway or open area, students will move to the interior wall, turn away from windows, “Drop and Tuck”. If evacuating the building brings about increased safety, all students and staff will evacuate following building evacuation procedures.
If outdoors: Students will be instructed to move to an open space, lie down or crouch.
Teachers will account for all students and wait for further direction.
“Hold” Procedures:
Teachers will stay in their classroom or area. Halls will be cleared.
Teachers will close and lock the door.
Teacher accounts for all students. The teacher will notify office staff the names of missing/additional students. Office staff will work to identify the location of all students and report back to teachers.
Teachers will continue instruction as usual.
The Office Staff or SRO will notify staff when the “Hold” procedure ends.
“Secure” Procedures:
All students and staff will stay inside of the building.
Any students or staff who are outside will move inside the building.
The office staff will ensure that all outside doors are locked.
Teacher accounts for all students. The teacher will notify office staff the names of missing/additional students. Office staff will work to identify the location of all students and report back to teachers.
Teachers will continue instruction as usual.
The Office Staff or SRO will notify staff when the “Secure” procedure ends.
“Lock Down” Procedures:
Teachers will shut blinds, cover any window openings, turn off lights, lock doors, and move students to a section of the room where they cannot be seen from the outside of the room and maintain silence.
Teachers will account for all students. The teacher will notify office staff via the safety app or by texting the names of missing/additional students. The office staff will work to identify the location of all students and report back to teachers.
Teachers, students, and staff will remain in their locked location until law enforcement opens their door.
Early Dismissal Due to Emergency
In the event that the school day is shortened due to an emergency, (power outage, water line break etc.) the school will make direct contact with each parent. Parents will be given directions for student pickup. Students will be allowed to walk home only if contact has been made with a parent/guardian or emergency contact. Bus students will be transported home on a bus only if contact has been made with a parent/guardian or emergency contact. All other students will be transported to a district building until appropriate parent or guardian contact has been made.
Major Disasters:
In the event of a major disaster affecting the entire community, students will be held at the school and follow our district Emergency/Crisis plans. All teachers and staff will remain at school to care for the students. Unless otherwise notified, we will release students only to parents/guardians or emergency contacts.
*All students and staff become familiar with the preceding procedures through direct instruction, reviews, and regular emergency drills.
Fees
There will be no fees at Red Cliffs Elementary School during the regular school day. Some donations may be requested for projects, field trips or activities. No student is required to pay these donations to participate in activities.
Special instructional activities outside of the regular school day (or school year) may be subject to fees.
Fee waiver information is available at the school office.
Field Trips
Often there are opportunities for learning that extend beyond the school and classroom. Occasionally students will go on field trips. Each teacher will send home information regarding the field trip planned and a parent permission form. Due to limited funds the school may suggest a donation would be helpful to finance the field trip. Sometimes parents are invited to be chaperones, we appreciate this help, but ask that other arrangements be made for preschool age children.
Notice: District policy requires that ALL school volunteers and/or parents who chaperon field-trips must complete a background check through the Juab School District office. Please inquire at our school office if you are interested in this process.
Homework
As a staff, we recognize the importance of homework as an extension of learning activities. We will carefully assign and explain each homework assignment so that each student has an understanding of the expectations. We will also hold students accountable for the completion of assigned homework as part of the class requirements. At times, you may be asked to sign your child’s work as a way of keeping you informed of class activity.
Lost But Not Found
Parents and students, please check the lost and found at the school regularly. Lost articles not claimed will be donated to a charitable organization or discarded.
Lunchroom
Rules of health and safety have been set up in the school lunchroom to protect your child and ensure they have the opportunity to enjoy healthy lunch choices.
A free and reduced lunch/breakfast application for those who are eligible is available online at https://www.juabsd.org or in the school office for grades one through five. If applying, only one application per family is needed.
Elementary student lunch is $1.80; reduced lunch price is $0.40 for those who qualify. Breakfast is $1.30; reduced breakfast price is $0.30 for those who qualify.
Medication
It is the policy of Juab School District that all medication be administered to children by their parents at home. This policy means that, only under exceptional circumstances, will the school nurse, secretary, or principal give children medication under appropriate regulations. This would include an approved student medication plan that includes a doctor’s written orders and appropriate signed instructional forms. Parents must also bring the medication to school (not send it with a child) in a clearly labeled bottle. The medication will be counted with the authorized school employee to verify the number of pills left at school. A log will be kept for all medication given at school.
Money and Valuables
RCES is not responsible for a student’s money and/or valuables, including cell phones, Gabb watches, etc. We discourage students from bringing money to school, except for times when there is a specific purpose. The school assumes no responsibility for damage or theft of a student’s money or valuables.
Phone Calls
Telephone use is limited to important calls as judged by the teacher or school staff. If students call home, it should be for reasons of illness or other emergencies. Calling home to get permission to go home with a friend is not considered an emergency. If a parent needs to get a message to their student, please contact the school office at 435-623-0328.
Safe Schools
It is our intent to maintain a school environment that is conducive to learning. Our goal is to create a safe and positive atmosphere by prohibiting acts of violence, aggressive behavior, intimidation, possession of weapons, criminal behavior, or bullying activities on school property. School rules and expectations are in place in order to ensure the safety of all students and staff. Teachers will review school rules several times throughout the year.
A student may be suspended, expelled, or subject to other appropriate disciplinary action when the school administration has determined that he/she represents a threat to the health and/or safety of other students.
RCES is committed to provide all students with a safe and secure learning environment. Incidents of bullying reduce a student’s ability to achieve academically. In addition, bullying can directly affect a student’s health and well-being, and may contribute to excessive absences, physical illness, mental and emotional anguish, and long-term social and psychological consequences.
“Bullying” means any behavior that is intended to (1) cause personal harm or distress, (2) exists in a situation or a relationship in which there is an imbalance of power or strength, and (3) may be repeated over time. It is intentionally or knowingly committing an act that endangers the wellbeing, health, or safety of another student(s). Bullying may be physical, verbal/written, or psychological. The conduct described above constitutes bullying, regardless of whether the person against whom the conduct is committed directed, consented to, or acquiesced in the conduct.
If it is determined that a student’s behavior exhibits these elements, it will be considered to be a “bullying” situation and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.
*Parents please refer to Juab School District Safe Schools policies located on the Juab School District Website - District – Policies: FGAD Bullying, Cyberbullying, & Hazing, FHA Safe Schools, FHAB Safe Schools Sexual Harassment, FHAC Safe School Hazing, FHAE Safe Schools Disruptive Behavior. If you have questions or concerns about these policies please contact the school office.
Safe School Access – Pick Up and Drop Off
All outside building doors will remain locked throughout the school day with the exception of the main front entrance. The pick-up and drop off for students is in the west parking lot. This should remain one lane with cars not exceeding 5 MPH in the parking lot. Also, please be courteous and follow the instructions from the adult in the crosswalk.
School Community Council/SCC and Parent Teacher Organization/PTO
The RCES SCC meets frequently throughout the year to discuss school improvement and student progress. Each year, The SCC also creates the RCES Trustlands plan for the following school year. Information about the RCES Trustlands plan can be found here.
The RCES PTO also meets monthly to discuss issues and ways to help the school meet its school improvement goals.
The SCC and PTO welcomes all parents and encourages participation. If you have questions, ideas and talents to share, or concerns, please plan on attending a meeting or contacting a member of the SCC, PTO or the school office.
School Rules
Red Cliffs Elementary School students demonstrate excellent behavior the majority of time. Our main emphasis is to encourage positive behavior through verbal reinforcement, positive recognition, modeling positive behavior, and positive communication with parents and families.
RCES School Rules
Red Cliffs Eagles:
-Respect others, self, and school.
-Work together, resolve differences, follow adult directions.
-Conduct themselves with honesty.
-Follow safety rules.
RCES School Safety Rules
Each student at Red Cliffs Elementary School will show respect and responsibility to self, others, and the school in language and actions. This includes (but is not limited to) such behavior as keeping hands, feet, and objects to self, walking and talking quietly, following direction and instruction, playing safely, using equipment properly and treating others with kindness.
*Individual teachers and their students will establish classroom rules.
Spirit Fridays!
Fridays are spirit days at RCES. Express your school spirit and pride by wearing school colors (red and black) or school spirit shirts or hoodies.
Student Checkout
If parents need to pick up their children during school hours, they must come to the office and check the student out. There will be a sign out sheet for each parent to sign.
School staff will get the student from the classroom. Teachers are not allowed to check students directly out of the classroom. *Parents, you can help us by following checkout procedures and checking your student out of the school through school office staff.
Student Information on PowerSchool
Please complete the student information/registration online for each of your children.
The intended use of the information requested on these sheets is for the safety and well being of each student. Contact information for each parent, both at home and at work, is requested. Emergency contact person(s) are also requested in the event we are unable to reach a parent. Please update this information as needed throughout the school year.
Access Online Registration:
Registration forms for each child must be completed online in PowerSchool. Parents must log in to their PowerSchool account and then click on the icon to the right of the pink line at the top of the page and complete the required forms.
Volunteers
Parents or guardians who would like to volunteer to help in the school, in the classroom, or with other activities, are welcome. Please contact your child’s teacher in order to set up times when you are able to volunteer.
Notice: District policy requires that ALL school volunteers and/or parents who chaperon field-trips must complete a background check through the Juab School District office. Please inquire at our school office if you are interested in this process.
Web Resources
Juab School District
Red Cliffs Elementary Website
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