Student/Family Handbook

2024-2025
Student/Parent Handbook
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Welcome........................................................................................................................................................ 1
Nondiscrimination Declaration .................................................................................................................. 1
District Core Beliefs.................................................................................................................................... 1
MVCS Mission, Vision, Core Beliefs ........................................................................................................... 1
About Us .................................................................................................................................................... 1
School Hours ............................................................................................................................................. 2
School Calendar ......................................................................................................................................... 2
Pick Up / Drop Off ..................................................................................................................................... 2
Signing Students In/Out ............................................................................................................................ 3
Operations ..................................................................................................................................................... 3
Breakfast ................................................................................................................................................... 3
Lunch ......................................................................................................................................................... 3
Food and Drink .......................................................................................................................................... 3
Transportation .......................................................................................................................................... 3
Bus Rules ................................................................................................................................................... 3
Field Trips .................................................................................................................................................. 4
Technology 1:1 .......................................................................................................................................... 5
Academics...................................................................................................................................................... 6
Elementary School Grading Policy ............................................................................................................ 6
Middle School Grading Policy .................................................................................................................... 6
Middle School Finals ................................................................................................................................. 7
Academic Integrity .................................................................................................................................... 7
Report Cards ............................................................................................................................................. 7
Progress Reports ....................................................................................................................................... 7
Eligibility ..................................................................................................................................................... 7
Citizenship .................................................................................................................................................. 7
Award Ceremonies .................................................................................................................................... 7
Continuation Ceremonies ......................................................................................................................... 7
Gifted and Talented .................................................................................................................................. 7
High School Courses .................................................................................................................................. 8
Multi-Tiered Systems of Support .............................................................................................................. 8
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education ......................................................................................... 8
Special Education ...................................................................................................................................... 8
Athletics/Activities ....................................................................................................................................... 8
PE/Dressing Out ........................................................................................................................................ 8
Athletics .................................................................................................................................................... 9
Expectations for Fans ................................................................................................................................ 9
Activities/Clubs ....................................................................................................................................... 10
Tutoring ................................................................................................................................................... 10
Attendance ................................................................................................................................................. 10
Excused Absences ................................................................................................................................... 10
Unexcused Absences .............................................................................................................................. 10
Tardies ...................................................................................................................................................... 11
Make Up Work ........................................................................................................................................ 11
Truancy .................................................................................................................................................... 11
Rules Governing Behavior........................................................................................................................... 11
Student Rights ......................................................................................................................................... 12
Discipline Systems ................................................................................................................................... 12
Cooperating with Adults ......................................................................................................................... 12
Hallway Expectations .............................................................................................................................. 12
Cafeteria Expectations ............................................................................................................................ 13
Recess Expectations ............................................................................................................................... 13
Restroom Expectations ........................................................................................................................... 13
Guest Teachers ........................................................................................................................................ 13
Cell Phones .............................................................................................................................................. 13
Phone Calls .............................................................................................................................................. 14
Restorative Practices ............................................................................................................................... 14
Defiance .................................................................................................................................................. 14
Disruptive Behavior ................................................................................................................................. 14
Tobacco ................................................................................................................................................... 14
Alcohol /Drugs ......................................................................................................................................... 14
Weapons ................................................................................................................................................. 15
Personal Searches ................................................................................................................................... 15
Bullying .................................................................................................................................................... 16
Fighting .................................................................................................................................................... 16
Sexual Harassment .................................................................................................................................. 16
Dress Code .............................................................................................................................................. 16
Uniform Code .......................................................................................................................................... 17
School Resources......................................................................................................................................... 17
Mental Health ......................................................................................................................................... 17
Counseling Team ..................................................................................................................................... 17
Safety ...................................................................................................................................................... 17
Student Illness ......................................................................................................................................... 18
Medication Policy .................................................................................................................................... 18
Library ..................................................................................................................................................... 18
Communication Home ............................................................................................................................ 18
Volunteers ................................................................................................................................................ 19
Visitors .................................................................................................................................................... 19
Community Partnerships ........................................................................................................................ 19

WELCOME
Dear Students and Parents,
Welcome to the Mountain Vista Community
School. Each year we provide a student/ parent
handbook as an outline to our policies and
procedures. Whether you are a newcomer to our
school or an “old-timer,” this handbook is
designed to help you make this school year a
positive one. It gives helpful school information
and addresses the role of student and parent
involvement and responsibility. This is also a
booklet about expectations and rules, but it is
not all-inclusive, as no handbook ever could be.
We hope that both parents and students will
read through it carefully – together – and discuss
it, so that everyone will be prepared for the year
that lies ahead and be successful. Again,
welcome to the new school year. Students: take
pride in yourselves, your education, and your
school. Do whatever it takes. Parents: take pride
in your children and their accomplishments.
Teach them to do whatever it takes. Praise them
when they do. We’re excited to have you as a
part of our Rams family! Let’s make this our best
year ever!
NONDISCRIMINATION DECLARATION
The Board is committed to providing a safe
learning and work environment where all
members of the school community are
treated with dignity and respect. The schools in
the District are subject to all federal and state
laws and constitutional provisions
prohibiting discrimination by race, color,
national origin, religion, sex, age, disability,
sexual orientation, genetic information or any
other applicable status protected by federal,
state or local law. No otherwise qualified
student, employee, applicant for employment
or member of the public shall be excluded from
participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be
subject to unlawful discrimination under any
district program or activity on the basis of race,
color, national origin, religion, sex, age,
disability, sexual orientation,
genetic information or any other applicable
status protected by federal, state or local law.
HSD2 CORE BELIEFS
• All students are capable of excellence
• Our purpose is to maximize student
success
• The well-being of our students, staff,
families, and community is worthy of
our investment
MVCS MISSION, VISION, AND CORE BELIEFS
We believe in student success and nothing less.
We develop all students' hearts and minds
through engaging academic and rigorous
content-rich opportunities to build the
foundations necessary to be successful college
and career-ready learners.
• My main purpose is to improve student
academic performance through
effective instruction.
• I will provide quality instruction at all
times.
• With my help, at -risk students will
achieve at the same rate as non-at-risk
students.
• I will commit to children and the pursuit
of excellence.
ABOUT US
Mountain Vista K-8 Community School is the
home of the Rams! We are a campus of
approximately 625 students and pride ourselves
in being a diverse community of excellence
where every student is seen, heard, and
celebrated.
Our students excel academically as well as
through the various athletic programs and clubs
that we offer. In 2017, our campus received the
Succeeds Prize Award. The Succeeds Prize is one
of the most prestigious awards and recognition
events for Colorado schools and teachers.
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We value the uniqueness that each student
brings and our teachers work relentlessly to
meet students where they are to provide
relevant, real-world tasks for them to apply their
learning to.
We collectively are champions of our future. We
constantly challenge ourselves to make our
learning environments responsive and engaging
through:
• Wireless access throughout the school
• Classrooms equipped with Smart
Boards, document cameras, Swivels,
interactive data projectors
• Restorative Justice student leadership
teams in elementary and middle school
• Top-notch instructional program for
English language learners, which
emphasizes both the acquisition of
English as well as content acquisition
• Multiple special education programs
(moderate needs as well as Autism)
• High retention of staff and students
We are proud to be Mountain Vista Rams!
SCHOOL OFFICE HOURS
8:00am – 3:45pm
SCHOOL CALENDAR
The instructional calendar can be found at:
2024-2025 HSD2 Calendar.
PICK UP / DROP OFF PROCEDURES
Student Drop Off
The doors to the school will open at 9:30 AM on
Mondays and 8:00 AM Tuesday through
Friday. Supervision of students and access to the
building will not be provided before these
times. The preferred location for Kindergarten
through 3rd grade students to be dropped off is
the west parking lot. The preferred location for
4th-8th grade is the south parking lot. Spreading
out across the two parking lots will help with
traffic and make the process more
efficient. However, this will not be strictly
enforced. Please do not park in the carpool
loop. If you need to walk your child in, please
find a parking space. Please be considerate of
others and mindful of other’s safety in your
driving.
In the mornings, students will only be allowed to
enter through the main lobby and the east doors
by the cafeteria. Students may get breakfast,
Tuesday through Friday, if they’d
like. Elementary students go to their
classrooms. Middle school students go to the
gym until the first bell. Parents and families will
not be allowed access to the building in the
mornings unless arranged in advance with
administration. In accordance with the visitor’s
policy, ALL visitors must check in at the front
office (including district employees). The first
bell rings at 8:10 AM and the tardy bell rings at
8:15 (9:40 AM and 9:45 AM respectively on
Mondays).
Student Dismissal/Pick Up Line
After walkers and bus riders are dismissed,
Kindergarten through 3rd grade will be dismissed
by their teachers from the west parking lot. 4th
through 8th grade students will be dismissed by
their teachers from the south parking lot. Older
siblings may join their younger sibling’s line to
eliminate the need to go through both carpool
lines. Students must be picked up by 3:50 PM
(no supervision is provided after this time).
Severe Weather Dismissal
In the event of a severe weather dismissal, you
will receive a notification from the school.
Students will remain in the building during
severe weather dismissal until individual
students are called for. A staff member will be in
each carpool loop (once determined to be safe),
using the radio to call for individual students to
be dismissed. This procedure may be altered
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depending on circumstances. Information will
be communicated by the school as it becomes
available.
SIGNING STUDENTS IN/OUT OF CAMPUS
If students are to be dismissed early for any
reason, a parent/guardian must sign them out at
the office, by coming into the building and
presenting their ID.