Handbook

Hilltop Heritage students are principled and therefore should strive to act with honesty and integrity. Students with integrity take responsibility for their actions and accept the consequences resulting from those actions. Students demonstrate academic honesty by consistently acknowledging the ideas and work of others. Please see the linked Academic Integrity Policy for details as well as to complete the required student and parent signatures. 

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Participation in athletics at Hilltop Heritage is regulated by the rules and policies set forth at the Tacoma School District middle school athletics page at https://www.tacomaschools.org/departments/athletics-and-activities 

To participate students must have: 

• A current physical exam 

• An ASB card and emergency contact card 

• A signed Athletic Contract & Standards form 

• Attended school at least a half-day on the day of an event or practice 

School attendance is one of the major factors affecting a student’s progress. There is a direct relationship between a student’s absences and their struggles in school. Attending school every day and being on time are the first steps to school success. Students must be in their first class by 7:40 a.m. 

Students may earn prizes for great attendance, including snacks, other items, or fun opportunities. 

Excused Absences 

Families must provide the school with a valid reason (verbal or written) for an absence for it to be  excused. The following constitute valid reasons according to district policies and state law: 

• Personal illness  

• A personal health condition  

• Personal medical or dental appointments  

• Appearances in court when required by law  

• Disciplinary action – short- or long-term suspensions, in-school suspension, expulsion  

• Religious observances  

• Family emergency approved by the principal (i.e., funeral, death, hospitalization, etc.)  

• School-approved activities (field trips and partnerships)  

• Planned family activity that has been pre-approved by the principal  

In all cases, the principal determines whether an absence is excused or unexcused. 

Anyone picking up a student must be on the authorized contact list and bring photo identification. 

Tardy (and Unexcused Absences) 

When students are not in class when the bell rings, they are considered tardy. A student arriving to school late must check in at the attendance window for an entry slip. Students more than five minutes  late to class are considered truant. Appropriate consequences will be assigned. Continued tardiness, or unexcused absences, could result in administrative action. 

Extended Absence 

Families must request approval from the principal or assistant principal in writing at least three days prior to the planned absence. The principal may consider the student’s academic record and the expected impact of the absence in approving or denying the request. Families and students may be asked to sign an agreement to make up missed work or complete special assignments or the absence may become unexcused. 

Returning to School After an Absence 

Students are responsible for communicating with all their teachers to gather missed learning and arranging a way to make up assignments. 

Early Dismissal 

If a student must leave school during the day for any reason, a dismissal slip must be obtained from the attendance office. A written or verbal request for early dismissal, to include the time and the reason for the dismissal, is to be presented to the attendance office prior to the dismissal time. Students will not be called out of class early to wait for pickup. Please come a few minutes early to allow time for them to be called out of class. 

If a student becomes ill during the day, the nurse or office will issue an early dismissal slip after contact with a parent or guardian and authorization that the student may leave school early. Families should be prepared to provide valid identification prior to the release of a student. 

Truancy and Leaving School Grounds 

The Tacoma School District maintains a closed campus policy. 

Once a student arrives at school, he or she may not leave the school grounds until the end of the scheduled school day without written permission from the office. Students who leave campus without written permission before the end of the scheduled day are considered truant. Students are truant when they are willfully, and without authorization, absent from class. Failure to check out of school before the end of regularly scheduled classes is considered truancy. A parent/guardian conference may be required before a truant student is allowed to re-enter his or her classes. 

Truancy and unexcused absences could result in administrative action. 

Makeup Work for Extended Absences 

Assignments may be obtained by calling the main office, contacting teachers, or through StudentVue.  Assignments may be picked up the day after your call. Teachers need 24-hour notice to compile the work. Call 253-571-7700 prior to picking up the assignments to make sure it’s ready to be picked up. StudentVue can be a helpful way to access assignments and learning.  

Hilltop Heritage students should be proud of themselves and their school. They demonstrate this through polite and courteous behavior. Our good conduct at assemblies is an indication of being principled and caring members of our school. 

• Enter in an orderly manner at an appropriate noise level. 

• Sit and remain in your assigned section. 

• Show respect for all. Be quiet and attentive for each speaker. Clap as appropriate. 

• Booing, shouting and whistling are inappropriate.  

• Follow staff directions for dismissal. 

• All personal items will be locked up in students’ advisory classrooms. 

There are multiple bike racks on Hilltop Heritage’s campus. For security reasons, the best location to lock a bike is on the bike rack located at the main entrance. Despite our attempts to provide security, bikes can be easily stolen. The school is not responsible for damage or theft. If you choose to ride your bike to school, please remember: 

• Wear a helmet while riding. 

• While on campus, walk your bike. 

• Park your bike in one of the school racks, perpendicular to the rack. 

• Lock your bike. 

• No bikes, skateboards, or scooters on athletic fields. 

Skateboards and scooters must be checked in at the main office on arrival. 

Breakfast-After-the-Bell will be available free to all students. Students are expected to eat appropriately and clean up after themselves. Outside Breakfast-After-the-Bell, food items should be stored away in backpacks. Water bottles are allowed during class as long as they do not become a distraction to the learner or learning environment.

Eating in the cafeteria is a privilege. Students who do not follow staff directions will be required to eat elsewhere.

·         Follow directions of all staff the first time they are given.

·         Clean up after yourself. Ensure your table area is clean for others.

·         Remain in your chosen seat until excused.

·         Use a Level 1 voice. Talk to people at your table in a conversational tone.

·         When staff are asking for your attention, stop, look, and listen for their instructions.

Tacoma Public Schools offers free breakfast and lunch to all TPS students. If a student wants a second meal, there will be a charge.  

For more information, visit the TPS Nutrition Services webpage.  

To make life easier for families and students we require a one-time fee of $30 to cover all general classroom supplies, such as pencils, pens, notebooks, and paper. Consumable supplies will be replenished throughout the year in advisory class. Go to the main office if you need help getting a backpack.  

Also, students will have a district-provided laptop and charger as part of their learning kit. It is important that students take care of their laptops and charge them at home every day, so they are ready for use in school.

Students must ensure they bring their laptop and charger to school every day as well. Students who fail to bring their laptop and charger to school are causing a barrier to their learning. If administration finds a pattern of a student not bringing their laptop to school, administration can assign appropriate consequences.

Students, you are expected to use your electronic devices responsibly. Use must not interfere with your learning or the learning of others. This means:

• During class your device is put away (in backpack) unless you have specific permission from the teacher to use it for a learning purpose.
• When given specific permission from the teacher, your communications/actions with the device are school appropriate.
• You do not take pictures or recordings of other people without their permission.
• You do not allow other students to have possession of your device.
• Your phone is put away during passing times and stays in your backpack in class when you are outside the classroom, using the restroom, etc.
• If a student needs to use their phone to connect with their caregiver, they can speak to teacher/staff who, when appropriate, can give permission to go to the front office to use the cell phone to make the necessary call or text.

An administrator or designee may collect an electronic device from a student and hold it the office if that student does not follow district, school and classroom expectations. Repeated issues with an electronic device may lead to progressive administrative action. Compliance with these guidelines is a matter of being principled and being caring toward our school’s expectations. Violations may also be subject to consequences spelled out in the Tacoma School District’s Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) policy, student privacy regulations, and other state and federal laws.  

Families, if you can avoid it, please do not text your child during school hours. Please contact the school directly (253-571-7700) if there is an emergency. 

Contact your child’s "Extension" teacher or the office for information about conferences. Formal student-parent-teacher conferences are held in the fall and spring. Most conference appointments last between 20-30 minutes.  

If you need to bring something to your child, such as a lunch or athletic gear, please bring it to the office. Please, no balloons or bouquets; they’re not allowed in the school. Also, students may not have food or other items delivered to campus by outside vendors. 

The purpose of the school dress code is to: 

• Support the learning environment 

• Provide a means of identification and belonging to Hilltop Heritage Middle School 

• Provide for a neat and orderly appearance appropriate for school 

• Reduce competition in dress 

Note: Administration reserves the right to restrict any clothing items or accessories that it deems disruptive. 

Hilltop Heritage Middle School conducts regularly scheduled emergency drills. When drills require students to exit the building, they are assigned routes and gathering areas. In all cases, students must: 

• Remain with assigned staff at all times. 

• Follow directions of staff. 

• Behave in an orderly manner. 

Closures due to bad weather or unsafe road conditions are announced on most local radio and TV stations. The call signs for local stations include KOMO (AM 1000), KIRO (AM 710), KMPS (FM 94.1), and KLAY (FM 1480). You may also call 253-571-1000 beginning at 6 a.m. for information. The district may also issue an automated recording. Please make sure your contact information is up to date with the office. 

Students are expected to follow all school rules, have a parent-signed permission slip, and be appropriately dressed according to Hilltop Heritage dress code guidance while on school-sponsored field trips unless otherwise specified by teachers or trip leaders in advance. 

Students are expected to be on their best behavior. Failure to comply with behavior expectations may result in consequences including, but not limited to: 

• Return to school 

• Detention 

• Suspension 

• Loss of future field trip/activity privileges 

Also, students may be prohibited from participation on certain field trips if one or more of the following apply: 

• The student has been suspended. 

• The student has numerous situation reports. 

• The student owes fines or obligations. 

Students are to ride to and from field trips via district-approved transportation. Volunteers must be cleared by the office at least 48 hours prior to the day of the field trip. 

Students will be using many items that belong to the school. These include laptops, textbooks, library books, musical instruments, uniforms, locks, and science and athletic equipment. If school equipment is lost or damaged, there may be a fine issued to cover the repair or replacement of the item. If school property that is checked out to a student is stolen, it remains the student’s responsibility to pay for it. Students who owe fines or obligations will have report cards, transcripts and diplomas withheld until the fine or obligation is paid. Reference: Tacoma School District Regulation (3520R).

Get a pass from your teacher to see the counselors. They can give personal guidance, information on  grades, study help or conflict resolution with others at school. Students must not leave classroom  learning opportunities unless there is a true emergency. 

Breakfast after the bell will be available to all students and eaten in classrooms. Students are expected to eat appropriately and clean up after themselves. Outside Breakfast-After-the-Bell, food items should be stored away in backpacks. Water bottles are allowed during class as long as they do not become a distraction to the learner or learning environment.

Students who are out of class must carry a hall pass from a teacher. This includes trips to the office, the nurse, and the restroom. Students are expected to take care of personal business, go their lockers, and use the bathroom during passing times. Students will not be issued hall passes during the first 15 minutes or the last 15 minutes of class.  

• Keep hands and body to yourself. Avoid inappropriate play, pushing, and loitering. 

• Use an indoor voice. 

• Be courteous to everyone. 

• Don’t disrupt other classes. 

• Walk, don’t run. 

• Students in class and doing their warm-up before the tardy bell.  

• Halls cleared by 2:20pm at the end of the school day. 

Hilltop Heritage Middle School does not have hallway lockers. Students will need a sufficient backpack to carry their school materials with them from class to class. 

Hilltop Heritage Middle School does have gym lockers that are assigned for storage of athletic and school garments for PE. 

Lockers belong to the school and may be opened and searched by school authorities at any time (this statement is “prior notice” of locker searches). Any unauthorized items found in a locker will be removed. 

Only school issued locks may be used. All others will be removed. 

Students must not share lockers or give their locker combination to anyone. The school is not responsible for items lost or stolen at school. Leave your valuables at home. 

**Entering or vandalizing another student’s locker is a serious offense and is subject to detention, suspension, and/or police action.

Hilltop Heritage provides direct Multilingual Learner (ML) services. Students will be assessed and receive support based on their level of need. For more information, see the Tacoma School District ML webpage. 

G-rated versions of music, media, and movies are used at dances, assemblies, and in class presentations. Students may not use music, media, or movies without prior review and approval by an administrator or designee. 

Get a hall pass from your teacher if you are not feeling well and go to the nurse. If you need to take  medication, see the nurse. Don’t keep any medicines with you. Medications belong in the nurse’s office.  This is school district policy. Students using crutches may only do so with written doctor’s orders.  Students must see the nurse upon re-entry after injury. 

Permanent marking pens such as Sharpies and other brands are not allowed at school unless provided within a classroom (by at teacher) for a specific learning purpose. 

Students are required to participate and dress for PE every day, unless excused by a doctor. 
Meanwhile:  

• Official Hilltop Heritage PE t-shirts may be purchased in the office. 

• Black or navy athletic shorts (finger-tip length) and plain gray T-shirts are acceptable. 

• Optional sweatshirts or sweatpants may be worn (navy or black bottoms and gray tops)

All students are issued a school ID card on picture day at no cost. ID cards could be used to ride the bus, purchase meals, and attend TPS events. Replacement of a lost card is $5. Students can purchase replacement cards in the office. 

Students much check in and out of their classrooms when leaving for the restroom, in order to keep track of students in emergencies and control improper use of the facilities. Students must carry a designated classroom hall pass.

The district offers one-to-one devices as well as digital access to library materials, databases, and the internet. It is important that you and your student read and discuss the Student Use of District Technology page, which includes the District’s Acceptable Use Policy for Digital Resources. A summary of the regulation follows. Complete text is available on the Tacoma Public Schools website.  

In using the district digital resources, students accept the responsibility to: 

1. Utilize the digital resources for educational purposes only;

2. Abide by district policies and federal/state laws, including Copyright laws; 

3. Adhere to school guidelines on use of the network, and notifying staff prior to using the internet; 

4. Use good behavior and respect district property; do not destroy, modify, delete, or add software to district computers without permission. 

5. Use digital resources in a legal, moral, and ethical manner. Do not access or process obscene, pornographic, or other inappropriate materials. 

Tacoma Public Schools reserves the right to review and monitor activity on the network for responsible use consistent with the District’s Acceptable Use Policy for Digital Resources and Regulation; and to remove a user’s privilege to access the network at any time the District determines that the user is engaged in unauthorized activity or for violating the Policy. Disciplinary actions, if any, shall be consistent with the district’s standard policies and procedure

Students may use telephones only for emergencies or school-related needs. 

To attend games, sports practices, and other after-school activities, students should make transportation arrangements in advance. 

We understand the need to get messages to your child. We cannot guarantee delivery of messages left after 2:00pm. 

Textbooks distributed to students must be returned. Please treat all books with care.

Replacement costs range from $10 to $75. 

Fines will be assessed for exceptional wear and tear, damage, broken spines, lost bar codes, etc. 

Textbook fines must be paid before report cards are issued. 

Leave them at home. Valuables such as large sums of cash, iPods, MP3 players, cameras, and other non-district provided electronic devices, as well as jewelry, should not be brought to school. Loss is common; so is theft or “borrowing.” 

Hilltop Heritage staff will not be responsible for the replacement or recovery of such items. 

Responsible adult family members are welcome to visit school any time. It is necessary for all visitors to check in at the office and receive a visitor pass. 

Students are not allowed to bring friends or siblings to visit during the school day.  

If a family member (identified as such in the district database) wants to visit their child’s class(es), arrangements must be made with each teacher 24 hours prior to the visit.