Handbooks

Dear Students, Parents, and Guardians:  
Welcome to Vernon Elementary School! Our entire staff is excited and happy to welcome your child(ren) to our school! We are elated to create a positive educational culture together as we embark on our journey together. Our excellent teachers and staff are very excited to help all our students learn, and we are committed to helping each student achieve his/her potential. We anticipate a spirit of pride at VES as we work together in building our school community.  
We realize that schools are created to serve and educate students. We intend to maintain high standards of excellence and to establish high expectations for student achievement. With these goals in mind, we anticipate a very productive and rewarding school year. Each of our teachers offers unique educational experiences that will help students to learn and grow, as well as develop intellectually, socially, physically, and emotionally.  
As staff, we will also teach and practice basic social skills. We believe that everyone who has been taught to demonstrate appropriate social skills will be better prepared to excel academically. All students and staff members need to contribute to and help maintain a safe school environment that is conducive to learning, developing individual responsibility, and providing mutual respect.  
We also recognize that the parent is the primary educator of the child, and we encourage you to participate and to get involved in the activities at our school. We believe that “it takes a village to raise a child," which includes a combination of home, school, and community members working together, resulting in a more effective and positive educational experience for all our children.  
In this handbook, you will find a list of staff members, a daily schedule, a school calendar, dates for Parent-Teacher conferences, school policies, and other useful information. Please use this handbook as a reference throughout the year.  
Thank you for your interest in and support of Vernon Elementary School. 
We wish you all the best of luck as we embark on a successful new school year!  
Sincerely, 
Jalynn Livingston, 
Principal, Vernon Elementary School 
 

We parents, recognize that as our children’s first and most influential teachers, we can promote their success and contribute to an excellent school if we make and fulfill the following commitments: 

●          We will establish high expectations for our students. We will not accept minimum effort or indifference to quality work.            

●          We will know what is expected in each of our students’ classes and communicate with teachers when we have a question or concern. 

●          We will insist on good attendance, as long as our child is well. 

●          We will provide a quiet time and place in our home for study. 

●          We will insist that our students accept responsibility for their learning and conduct. 

●          We will model the importance of life-long learning. 

Richard DuFour and Robert Eaker  Professional Learning Communities at Work

1.     Your child needs to be at school every day on time; attendance is critical in helping students receive the knowledge they need for success now and in the future.  

2.     Skyward is a great way to track your child’s work, attendance, and lunch account.  Please get in touch with Mrs. Livingston if you need assistance.  

3.     The classroom teacher may assign homework.  Part of each night’s assignment is to

Read! Read! Read! Reading Slips are due Every Monday  

a.     20 minutes a night for Kindergarten - 3^rd Grade

b.     30 minutes a night for 4^th, 5^th, 6^th

4.     Make sure to complete the Welcome Back Registration Packet; it affects attending recess and utilizing technology on campus.

5.     We encourage parents and family members to follow us on Facebook to see what is happening at school but remember you cannot repost pictures.  

6.     Please get in touch with Mrs. Livingston with any questions regarding this handbook.

*KIDS 1st*  
HIGH EXPECTATIONS: We believe that every child is a person of value who is capable of learning and has the need to be challenged. Each unique individual deserves quality educational experiences with equitable access to diverse growth opportunities that will help him/her achieve his/her potential and ultimately become successful. We envision a school without barriers where risk-taking is accepted and encouraged. 
POSITIVE AND SAFE CLIMATE: We believe in the power and potential of the human spirit, and we believe that people are innately good. We want to create a SAFE, caring, friendly, and nurturing LEARNING environment that celebrates individual differences and respects cultural diversity…a place where students feel like they are wanted and belong to a part of something greater than themselves… where they have the freedom to explore their own creative potential… uninhibited.  
INSTRUCTIONAL EXCELLENCE: We want to provide our students with a solid foundation in the basics, emphasizing reading, writing, math, and science across all areas of the curriculum, with a focus on keeping kids at or above academic grade level in conjunction with the Utah State Core Curriculum. At the same time, we want to cultivate critical thinking skills in our students and challenge them to “think outside the box.” We value academic learning time as meaningful, and we seek to provide quantifiable measures of student progress.  
COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS: We believe that learning is relationship-driven and should be student-oriented. We want to surround our students with the best available role models, where teachers as leaders can and do make a difference. We want to create a community of learners, where students, faculty, staff, and parents ALL learn, grow, and evolve together.  
CHARACTER EDUCATION:  We are committed to developing caring, honest, and respectful citizens who will make positive contributions to society and live meaningful lives. We encourage students to value friendship, and to interact positively with each other as they accept responsibility for belonging to a group. We want them to be passionate and compassionate as they participate in activities that will promote good citizenship and develop leadership qualities. “REAL WORLD”  PREPARATION: We believe in the edification of our society through the preservation of democratic principles. We want to emphasize practical applications and skill acquisition that students can take with them in the future. We want to provide hands-on experiences and expose students to new ideas, new people, and new places that will motivate them to become self-directed, lifelong learners. 
 

MISSION 
We will “Soar to New Heights” by promoting high academic achievements, through classroom instructions and response to intervention, creating well-rounded students who are responsible, respectful, and motivated life-long learners.   
Students at Vernon Elementary know that we are the EAGLES and that together we are going to soar to new heights.  We are going to learn together and help each other become the best we can be.  We are going to be responsible, respectful citizens and life-long learners.  
 
Vernon EAGLES Are: 
Ever Accountable 
Generous Loyal 
Energetic 
Scholars 
 
1.    Be Ever Accountable for Your Actions 
2.    Be Generous, Respect the Rights of Others 
3.    Be Loyal, Follow Directions the First Time 
4.    Be Energetic. Keep Hands, Feet, Mouth, and Objects to Yourself 
5.    Scholars Are Ready to Learn  
 
Personal Responsibility of Each Vernon Elementary Student 
 
Rules of Conduct in the Lunchroom 
1.    Ever Accountable 
*Get everything you need before you sit down. *Clean up after yourself.  *Put all trash in the garbage *Wipe up any spilled food or drink 
2.    Generous Respect 
*By Keeping Hands, Feet, Mouth, and other Objects to Self. *Using Kind Words. 
*Remember to say “Please,” “Thank You,” and “Excuse Me.” 
3.    Loyal  
*If food or drink is spilled, a staff member needs to be notified, and the student will help clean it up immediately. 4. Energetic  
*Wait patiently for your turn in line. *Eat your own food. *Use proper manners when eating. 
5. Scholars 
*Know how they need to act in the lunchroom.  *Wait to dump your tray until a staff member dismisses you. 
Rules of Conduct in the Classroom, Restroom, And Hallways 
1.    Ever Accountable 
*Students are expected to help keep our school building clean *Respect bulletin boards, class areas, hallways, library, and school grounds. 
2.    Generous Respect 
*Respect for staff members. *Show respect for one another by refraining from name-calling, threatening others, fighting, or arguing.  *Restrooms should be respected and cared for just the same as the rest of the building. *Keeping voices down, no fighting.  
3.    Loyal  
*Bouncing balls or playing catch shall be limited to the gym or outside areas unless approved by a staff member. *Students will not use the restrooms as play areas; no physical education equipment is permitted in the restroom. 
4.    Energetic  
*Stay to the Right *go with the flow. *Walk safely and slowly. *No running in the building. *Students must show respect for each other’s property by not stealing or hiding another person’s school or personal property. 
5.    Scholars 
*Move quietly and in an orderly manner from one part of the building to another. *Come to school on time and ready to learn. 
 
 
Rules of Conduct on the Playground and in the Gym 
1.    Ever Accountable 
*Activities are to be confined to the play area as determined by the staff. *Equipment will be returned when finished with it. *If you take something outside, you are responsible for bringing it back in. 
2.    Generous Respect 
*Think about others and their feelings. *Demonstrate good sportsmanship *Play fair and share equipment and space. *Use appropriate language. 
3.    Loyal  
*Bicycles, rollerblades, scooters, and skateboards are not to be used on school grounds. *Throwing snowballs, rocks, or any other hard object is prohibited. *Stop activity when the bell rings. 
4.    Energetic  
*Use caution on the playground so that playing does not become too rough, endangering the safety of anyone. *Fighting or tackling of any kind, and chasing games where students are caught and pulled down to the ground are not allowed. *Play safely and play games by the rules. 
*If there is a concern, students need to take their concerns to a staff member who is outside.  
5.    Scholars 
*Do not leave the confined playground area during recess time. *Come in when called the first time and line up in an orderly manner to prepare to enter the building. 
 
Rules of Conduct in the Library  
1.    Ever Accountable 
*Bring the necessary books, materials, and supplies with you. *Use ALL equipment carefully. *Do not damage or remove ANY equipment from the library.  *Return books and other materials on time and in good repair. 
2.    Generous Respect 
*Enter with a quiet voice. *Be patient and wait your turn. *Ask for help and speak to others with a respectful tone. *Remember to say “Please,” “Thank You,” and “Excuse Me.” 
3.    Loyal  
*Always respect the staff. *Listen and follow directions. *Ask for help when you need it. 
*Push your chair in when you finish working. 
4.    Energetic  
*Respect other people’s space. *Work quietly. 
5.    Scholars 
*Turn library books in on time. *Have pencils and paper with you, if needed. 
 
 
Rules of Conduct During Assemblies 
1.    Ever Accountable 
*Enter and exit the assembly respectfully. *Sit quietly, eyes forward, and listen. 
2.    Generous Respect 
*Display appropriate audience behavior before, during, and after the presentation. *Be a good listener. 
3.    Loyal  
*Listen and follow instructions. *Disruptive behavior, such as screaming and stomping feet, will not be tolerated.   
4.    Energetic  
*Respect other people’s personal space throughout the presentation. *Keep hands and feet to yourself. 
5.    Scholars 
*Sit in your assigned area. *Be ready to participate and enjoy the assembly as a courteous spectator. 
 

Our front doors open at 7:30 a.m. for breakfast. At 8:05, we will relock all outside doors. Students who arrive after 8:05 must check in at the office to ensure that they are marked tardy for the day rather than absent. Parents may meet their children outside the school doors after school. Parents and visitors needing to enter the school during the day must enter through the front doors after being let in by the front office (you will need to ring the doorbell and a staff member will unlock the door for you). To meet with a teacher or an administrator, an appointment must be made in advance. To check out a child:  
1.    Enter the building  
2.    Sign the Checkout Book  
3.    Ring the Bell 
4.    Inform the staff member whom you need  
5.    The Staff member will go to the classroom and get your child.   
Please note that students will not be called down in advance of your arrival so please plan ahead. 
 

The Vernon Elementary School PTO is an extremely valuable and active group of parents and teachers. The PTA provides many great activities for our students. The PTO is a terrific asset to our school. Please watch for notices from the PTO when meetings will be held.  

Volunteers are essential tour school’s success, and we are grateful for our dedicated volunteers’ contributions.  All volunteers (including those chaperoning field trips) must apply.

This can be done by following these steps: 

1.  Visit our website https://appgarden5.app-garden.com/VolTrackUT30.nsf  

2.  Register and complete application 

3.  The application will be reviewed. TCSD uses BCI for all background checks. If you have never applied to volunteer before, you will need to have your fingerprints taken at the district office before you can be approved to volunteer. If you have applied and been a volunteer before, you may not need to have your fingerprints taken again. This will depend on whether your fingerprints were taken through the TCSD system. The district will notify you if you need your fingerprints taken.

4.  Once approved, please check in with the teacher for whom you would like to volunteer. That teacher can direct you how to help in his/her classroom.  

5.  Once your initial volunteer application and background check have been approved, you will be notified by email annually on the anniversary date of your application approval to renew your status as a volunteer. 

Being late can be disruptive to a child’s education.  Excessive or habitual tardies cause students to miss necessary instruction.  It takes additional teacher time to explain, which is unfair to the students who arrive on time. It is often embarrassing for students to be late.  Please help us ensure your child gets off to a good start.  The best arrival time is between 7:30 and 7:55 am. 

While we understand and appreciate that students want to have social time with their friends after school, it presents a safety issue for all students. We have supervision at the crosswalk and buses until students safely exit campus. However, after that, we do not have the resources to supervise students. We have found that students staying at school unsupervised creates many safety issues.  
In order to solve this problem, we are asking that you ensure that your student has a plan for getting home each day after school in a timely, safe manner, and that you review that with your child. We will have any students who are still on campus 15 minutes after the bell rings come to the front office to be picked up. 

School breakfast and lunch are available for all students.  Students are welcome to bring their lunch from home.  Milk may be purchased.  Students may pay weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly.  Please check your child’s Skyward account frequently to see that they have money in their account. If you have questions, please contact Ms. Julie or Mrs. Livingston. Students are not to leave for lunch unless accompanied by their parents or guardian.   
         Applications for free and reduced lunch can be found on the district website.  Many federal aid programs for schools are based upon free and reduced lunch counts at school.  To help the school receive these funds, we ask that you please complete the form.  If at any time during the school year your financial status changes and you believe you may qualify for assistance, please get in touch with Ms. Julie or Mrs. Livingston so that we can ensure you have the opportunity to receive the free or reduced lunch program.   
Cost for Breakfast: 
    Students: $2.00          Staff: $3.25            
Cost for Lunch: 
    Students:  $2.50          Staff:      $4.25 
 

Vernon Elementary School is a closed campus. As a result, once students arrive on our premises—whether they are walking; riding bikes, scooters, or skateboards; rollerblading; or being dropped off by their parents—they are not to leave school grounds until the dismissal bell rings at the end of the day, unless they are checked out with an adult. 

The telephone in the main office is for school business only. Students must have permission from a staff member to use the phone during the school day. If a call is made from the school by a student, it is expected that the call be made from the school office rather than a personal device.  
In order to relieve pressure on our staff we ask you to arrange with your children ahead of time where they should go after school, or the pickup schedule if they are in carpools. As much as possible, the telephone will be off-limits to students calling for rides or asking permission to go to a friend’s house after school. Students should not use classroom phones to call home.  
Please do not ask the staff to relay messages to your child unless the situation is urgent. 
We cannot stop the instruction of all the other students for any reason other than an emergency. We try to limit all classroom interruptions to facilitate productive use of instructional learning time.   

State law forbids school personnel to dispense any medication, even over-the-counter remedies, without the written consent of the child’s physician or the City/County Health Department.  Forms for this purpose are available in the office and must be completed before we will administer any medication.  All medication containers must have complete information attached: name of contents, patient, dosage, and instructions.  Children cannot carry medication at school, including prescriptions, aspirin, or Tylenol.  Cough drops are okay.  NOTE:  State law is stringent and will not allow the school to dispense over-the-counter drugs such as PeptoBismol, cough syrup or drops, Tylenol, or aspirin.  Inhalers may be sued according to State 
Policy and guidelines.  If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Livingston   

It is the desire of the Board of Education that all parents be notified when their children are failing in school. Therefore, the following policy has been adopted: “All teachers will notify parents of their child’s failing performance in school at the time the boy or girl shows indication of failure and before it is too late to correct the situation. Notice will be given to parents by telephone or in writing. All teachers will keep appropriate records of efforts to notify.”   

  No student will be detained after regular school hours until his/her parent or guardian has received prior notification of the need for detention, including the day and the amount of time the child will be kept after school. 

Student visitors are not permitted to attend classes or visit schools or classrooms during regular Please do not send “guest” students to school to visit classrooms. This results in additional work for individual teachers, and often distracts students from their schoolwork. Additionally, this is a safety issue and is against policy.  

Parents are welcome at Vernon Elementary School. During the school year, you may wish to confer with one of the teachers or visit a classroom.  It is imperative that you call and make an appointment in advance. Parents visiting the school must have a visitor’s pass from the main office.  
A teacher’s primary responsibility is to teach the students in the classroom. Potential problems can arise if parents go into the classroom during school time to talk with teachers. Therefore, no one should go to a teacher’s room without first making an appointment. We also ask that parents respect teachers’ privacy outside of school and discourage calling teachers at home before or after school hours. 

Bringing animals on campus is a direct violation of the Utah State Health Department Code providing for a safe school environment. Animals at school pose some obvious safety hazards. For example, the potential always exists for someone getting bitten, as well as hidden diseases that may be carried and communicable to our staff and student body, either directly or indirectly. Animals and their waste products carry other smaller insects such as fleas, mites, and ticks, not to mention the mess that their feces and urine leave all over our campus when left unattended.  
Examples of animals brought onto campus that pose potential threats include—but are not limited to—birds, cats, dogs, lizards, snakes, and all forms of rodents (including guinea pigs, hamsters, mice and rats). Vernon Elementary School is not responsible and will not be held liable for damage caused by animals brought onto our campus. In the event that animals are left unattended, the Tooele Country Sherriff Department will be notified immediately, and the animal control officer will come to pick up the animal. The owners will be held accountable for any fines and/or damages.

Vernon Elementary School is a “No Gum” school. The problem with chewing gum at school is that –once allowed in—it gets everywhere from the carpet to underneath chairs, desks, and tables, and it is extremely difficult to clean up. We have had increasing problems with students bringing gum to school and not only chewing it but sharing it with other students. We respectfully request your help as parents to ensure that students are not bringing or chewing gum on campus during the school day, and we appreciate your support of our enforcement of this rule at school.  
Soda has also become a problem for many of the same reasons listed above. If a student brings a small soda for his/her lunch, that is fine. However, the practice of bringing large quantities of soda or sharing soda with others isn’t acceptable. 

Please have your child dress appropriately to fit the weather and in accordance with the TSCD Dress Code. All clothing (boots, coats, gloves, sweaters, etc.) should be marked with the child’s name. This will help us identify items to return them to their proper owner.

  In accordance with TCSD Policy 5031, Personal Technology and Communication Devices, the Vernon Elementary written procedures for using devices are as follows:  
1.    District-Owned Electronic Devices: Vernon Elementary School recognizes that technology can enhance teaching and learning. To this end, the school is supportive of TCSD providing Chromebooks for all its students and working with students to enhance their education through these devices. Use of these devices is based on the acceptable use policy signed by all faculty, staff, students, and parents at the beginning of the school year. Violation of this policy can result in the loss of privilege of these devices.  
2.    Personal Electronic Devices: Students may have electronic devices in their possession during the regular school day. These devices must remain out of sight during instructional time and be turned off or in silent mode. The best place for these devices is in the student’s backpack, as this will limit the temptation to use the device at inappropriate times and ways. The intentional use of personal electronic devices during instructional time results in loss of instruction and loss of learning, leading to the detriment of the very reason that school is held. Therefore, students who violate this policy will be on the following warning system:  
-1st Violation: Verbal prompt to put away the device  
-2nd Violation: Confiscation of the device for a short time; the device can be retrieved by the student at the end of the day. Parents will be contacted.  
-3rd Violation: Confiscation of device. Parents contacted and must retrieve the device. A suspension of the device will be agreed upon by the student, parent, and school administrator.  
3.    Exceptions: Exceptions to the personal device policy need to be approved through the school and communicated between parents and teachers. Exceptions can include:  
-Medical Reasons: Permission may be given for students to possess electronic devices for good cause shown if the devices do not distract from the instructional process. Generally, these requests should come from but are not limited to, documentation in 504s and/or IEPs.  
-Parent Request: Parents may request that a student possess an electronic device on active mode for good cause shown.  
-Teacher Request: The teacher may request that a student have an electronic for good cause. This request will be communicated to parents.  
-Emergency: Students may use devices in situations that threaten the health, safety, or well-being of students, including themselves, employees, or others. Abuse of this exception would include using devices in non-emergency situations. 
 
 

While we appreciate the fact that most children are willing to share, bringing toys to school creates nothing but distractions for students and staff, as well as causing problems in the classroom and at recess for everyone involved. Toys get broken, lost, stolen, and kids fight over them, not to mention the additional safety hazards that some toys create at our school.  
Toys are not allowed at school, except things brought to share with classes for show-andtell.  These things should be checked in with the classroom teacher first thing in the morning and picked up on the way out that same day. Vernon Elementary School will not be held liable for any damage caused to items brought onto our campus that may get lost, stolen, or broken.  
All toys brought to school except for those things checked in with the classroom teacher in advance for show-and-tell as described above—will be confiscated and the parents will be required to pick them up. Please help us to create a safe and positive learning environment for all students.

Throughout the school year, many personal items (coats, shoes, hats, gloves, lunch boxes, jewelry, glasses, etc.) are left by the students. If your child loses anything, please check in the school lost and found area, located in the cafetorium. Unclaimed items will be donated to charity.

Please remind your child to look for lost items ASAP. 

Before an article may be claimed, the article must be accurately identified by the owner. Therefore, please put your child’s name on all backpacks, coats, gloves, hats, lunch boxes, etc. This will help us to return lost items to your children. The school will not be held responsible for any valuables lost at school. 

Textbooks are checked out to all students by the Tooele County School District Board of Education. Once a book is assigned to a student, the student is responsible for that book. Lost or damaged books must be paid for by the student.  
Overdue books cause additional record-keeping problems for the Media Center staff, and they also deprive other students from accessing those materials. Students are responsible for all lost books. Additional books will not be checked out to the student until all overdue book(s) are returned. 

All fundraising activities must be pre-approved by the district.  This includes any student, parent, teacher, staff, or PTO activity on school property.  A completed fundraising form must be submitted and approved before the beginning of the activity.  According to Tooele County School District policy, Vernon Elementary School may have up to two school-sponsored fundraising activities in the community during a given school year.  However, the PTO may have as many fundraisers as they deem necessary.  All funds received, regardless of the source, should be deposited directly with the school financial secretary.  All expenditures of monies must also be conducted through the school financial secretary.  NO DOOR-TO-DOOR SELLING IS ALLOWED WITH FUNDRAISERS. 

Vernon School starts at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 3:10 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, and

Wednesdays.   Thursdays are early out days; students will be dismissed at 12:30. Teachers’ hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 3:40 p.m. There is no bus for students at Vernon Elementary.  Most of our students are transported to school by their parents.  A few students walk to school, and those families living close to it allow their children to walk there.  There are no sidewalks leading to the school and no shortcuts.  Parking is in front of the building.  School Arrival: 

Students begin arriving at school from approximately 7:30 a.m. to 7:55 a.m. The traffic speed limit is 20 MPH on Main Street through the school zone.  Speed bumps and signs identify the school zone.  Parents are cautioned to observe all students when dropping off their children.  Drop-off is in front of the school.  Students who walk to school enter the school grounds in front of the school.  Students enter and remain on school grounds upon arrival.   School Departure:

Parents begin arriving to pick up their students at 3:05 p.m. Upon release from class, teachers and students go to their approved stop.  Teachers release students after they see that their parents are waiting.  Parents enter the drop-off and pickup zone.  They are asked to pull to the stop sign to begin the line.  Students enter the vehicle on the right side.  Those students who walk are escorted across the parking lot and through the crosswalk.  They are observed by a staff member until they exit the school zone.  Pick-up and dispersal are usually complete within fifteen minutes. Students whose parents have parked in a parking space will be escorted across the parking lot when our walkers are escorted across the parking lot. To keep all our students safe. We cannot allow students to cross the parking lot or crosswalk, even with parents, until the pickup line is empty.  

A.    Purpose and Philosophy. 

Tooele County School District (TCSD) is committed to provide a safe, wholesome, orderly, and positive environment conducive to teaching and learning for all students. The TCSD Board of Education recognizes that dress and grooming seriously affect the behavior of students attending school and may also impact sanitation, health, and safety conditions. TCSD also recognizes the need for balance between freedom of individual expression and the right to a quality education for all that is free of disruption.  Students shall dress in a manner suitable to the day’s activities consistent with the standards of health, safety, and acceptable behavior. The student dress and grooming standards shall apply to all schools in the district and to both male and female students. The dress code also applies to students whether attending school or any school sponsored function or activity (as a participant or member of the audience). 

School administrators, faculty and staff are responsible for communication and enforcement of this policy and student dress and grooming standards, as well as, ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, in addition to, legal precedence and board policy. Involvement of stakeholders (i.e. PTA, Community Council, staff, students) in the management of schools is encouraged and can result in expanded thinking, increased ownership, satisfaction, and improved instructional programs and outcomes. Interpretation of the dress and grooming standards will be under the primary responsibility and discretion of school administrators. However, all district and school staff members shall have a share of responsibility in seeing that these standards are implemented and enforced fairly and consistently in classrooms, in school buildings, on school grounds, on school buses, at school activities, and other school sponsored events. The building principal has the final discretion to implement this policy fairly and consistently (regardless of student gender identification, race, sexual orientation, religion, etc.). Violations of this student dress code may result in reasonable disciplinary action according to District policy. 

B.    Student Dress and Grooming Standards 

Students’ clothing and jewelry must not present a health or safety hazard or distraction, which would disrupt the educational process or mission. Disruption is defined as reactions by other individuals to the clothing or adornment, which cause the teacher/administrator to lose the attention of students, to modify or cease instructional activities, or to deal with student confrontations or complaints. Items that disrupt the educational mission shall not be allowed. Personal items such as clothing, paraphernalia, jewelry, backpacks, fanny packs, gym bags, water bottles, etc., shall be free of writing, pictures, or any other insignias, which are crude, vulgar, profane, violent, or sexually suggestive, or promote illegal/criminal activity. Items which display advertising, promotions and likeness of tobacco, e-cigarettes, alcohol, gang activity or affiliation or drugs or which are contrary to the educational mission, shall not be allowed. 

All students shall maintain their hair, mustaches, sideburns, and beards in a clean manner.

Hair styles which disrupt or interfere with the learning atmosphere at the school shall not be allowed. Hair coloring is not prohibited; rather it should not detract from the purpose of 1) maintaining a safe school environment, and 2) prohibiting dress and grooming that causes actual disruptions to the learning environment or process. 

Clothing, jewelry, accessories and piercings which are so conspicuous, extreme, or odd that they draw undue attention, disrupt or tend to disrupt or interfere with the learning atmosphere at the school shall not be allowed. Sunglasses may not be worn indoors at school. 

All students shall wear clean clothing. Students shall not wear clothes that are mutilated, cut off, overly distressed or “grungy/grubbies”, or immodest. No shorts or skirts above mid-thigh are permitted unless leggings are worn. Such leggings may not be see-through.  Clothing must sufficiently cover undergarments at all times (i.e. sagging pants that reveal underwear, tops that reveal bra straps, etc.). Short shorts, miniskirts, bare midriffs, haltertops, tube tops, strapless shirts/tops, muscle shirts with enlarged holes, or similar revealing clothing is not permitted. Clothing must cover the midriff, underwear, and cleavage at all times (even when seated). This includes clothing that has holes above midthigh. School activity uniforms (i.e. singlets, spanks, cheer skirts, leotards, etc.) that do not meet these criteria are not appropriate for the school day and may only be worn during the approved activity. Such uniforms may be worn at school under team warm-ups or sweats. 

Belts are to be worn at the waist and at correct length (i.e. not excessively long and hanging). Chains or other large metal accessories, which can present a safety risk, are not allowed. 

Students shall comply with the laws that govern wearing of military uniforms and insignias. 

Hats or head coverings, including hoodies, are permitted as long as they do not disrupt the learning environment or make it difficult or impossible to identify students.  Immodest or suggestive clothing; apparel advocating illegal or inappropriate or offensive behavior or language; gang or gang–related apparel or symbols are strictly prohibited.  Tattoos and piercings are not specifically prohibited; rather, the policy is established around 1) maintaining a safe school environment, and 2) prohibiting dress and grooming that causes actual disruptions to the learning environment or process. School officials may require or approve students to wear certain types of clothing for health or safety reasons in connection with certain specialized activities (i.e. welding gloves or jackets, helmets, safety glasses, etc.). 

Shoes or sandals shall be worn at all times to ensure personal safety and hygiene. Students are encouraged to dress appropriately for weather and wear reasonable footwear for the activity and season. 

Reasonable accommodations may be made for students whose religious beliefs are substantially affected by dress code requirements. 

Students who violate dress and grooming standards will be subject to student discipline. Due process procedures will be followed in the case of any dress and grooming code violations. Schools may have acceptable clothing to loan to students who have violated the provisions of this policy. An offending student may be sent home until he or she reasonably complies with appropriate dress and grooming standards and/or a parent conference conducted to address the dress and grooming issues. 

C. Graduation Attire In order to maintain dignity and decorum at high school commencement, students participating in commencement exercises are subject to the dress and grooming standards articulated in this policy and are required to wear the prescribed cap and gown during the ceremony. 

Personal items such as clothing, accessories or jewelry that draw undue attention or detract from the dignity and decorum of the occasion shall not be allowed. Mantles, cords, insignias or medals signifying achievement, honor or recognition are restricted to awards issued and approved for display at graduation by the local high school. During the ceremony is defined as the entire duration of the commencement program from opening processional to completion of the recessional.

Any immunization record provided by a licensed physician, registered nurse, or public health official may be accepted by the school as a certificate of immunization if the type of immunization given and the date given are specified. The information is transferred to an official certificate for immunization and verified by the school's district.  Parents and guardians whose children lack necessary immunizations will be notified.  Parents and guardians whose students are prohibited from school attendance for failure to comply with immunization requirements will be referred to the appropriate agency for medical neglect.  

It is the practice of the Tooele County School District to have a health care plan in place for children who have health concerns. The classroom health care plan (HCP) helps to ensure a better understanding of your child’s health care needs and is directly reviewed with your child’s teacher and principal. Issues that need to be addressed are: 

●  Administration of medication to student by school personnel 

●  Students carrying and self-administering their own medication 

● Diet modifications 

●  Medical conditions 

●  Physical cares that need to be done during school hours 

HCP’s require signatures from parents/guardians and health care providers. Under Utah Code 53-A-11-601 medication administration and possession of medication is allowed at school as long as consents are signed by parents/guardians and the health care provider. 

If your student requires any of these services or attention regarding a health care concern, it is the parent’s/guardian’s responsibility to contact the student’s school. The school will provide you with the appropriate paperwork so that your student’s health concerns can be addressed at school so that your student’s health concerns can be addressed at school.

As per State Law, any student who does not attend school for ten consecutive days without a legitimate excuse will be dropped from the attendance rolls. 

Conversely, any student who is absent for reasons of health, accident, or injury for more than ten consecutive school days is eligible for homebound instruction. The school must receive written verification from a medical doctor before authorization is given for homebound privileges. If a student qualifies for homebound instruction, the parents should contact the main office for information on the application. The school district Case Management Team will determine if the student is eligible for homebound services.

A Limited English Proficient (LEP) student who has sufficient difficulty speaking, reading, writing, or understanding the English language, may deny the student the opportunity to learn successfully in classrooms where English is the language of instruction or to participate fully in our society, and: 

●          Was not born in the U.S. or whose language/environment is other than English; OR 

●          Native American or Alaskan Native who is a native resident of outlying areas where the environment is other than English; OR 

●          Is migratory and native language/environment is other than English. 

At the beginning of each school year, a Home Language Survey is provided in the online registration for each student to determine if they require further testing in order to qualify for additional Alternative Language Services (ALS). If they do qualify, they will be contacted by the school and testing will be administered. If the testing indicates that the student qualifies for additional services, an Individualized Language Plan (ILP) will be set up to help accommodate and facilitate the student’s schoolwork. 

For more information, please contact one of the following people: 

ALS Representative: Melody Barnett (435) 884-1900 

Principal: Jalynn Livingston (435) 839-3433 

Title III Director: Stephanie Rowley (435) 833-1900 

Assistant Superintendent: Jeff Hamm (435) 833-1900 

The Title VI program provides supplemental services to meet the culturally-related academic needs of American Indian/Alaskan Native students. The program is federally funded through the Department of Education in Washington, D.C. by a Formula Grant Program. 

To enroll in the program, students must be enrolled in one of the district’s public schools and parents/guardians must complete a 506 form. The student, a biological parent, or grandparent must be or have been an enrolled member of a federally recognized Native American Tribe/Nation. Parents/Guardians provide documentation to this effect when filling out the 506 forms. 506 forms are available in the school office, or you can contact the Native American Education Liaison at 435.833.8778 ext. 1704.

Homelessness is a lack of permanent housing. Under the McKinney-Vento Act, students living in a campground, car, hotel, motel, shelter, or other temporary residence—or who are sharing a home due to the loss of housing or economic hardship—have their educational stability protected. A homeless child or youth shall: 

1)         Continue in their school of origin for the duration of homelessness or for the remainder of the school year.

2)         Be immediately enrolled, even if the student cannot produce the records required to enroll. 

3)         Are eligible for free lunch and fee waivers. 

4)         Would be provided transportation to the school of origin by parent request. 

If your family is in a homeless situation, please talk to your principal about the specific needs your student may have, or for further information, call: 

District Family/Homeless Liaison at (435) 833-1900, extension 1415