School Policies

RIDGEVIEW SCHOOL STUDENT/PARENT HANDBOOK

RIDGEVIEW SCHOOL STUDENT/PARENT HANDBOOK

Dear Ridgeview Students,

On behalf of the faculty and staff, welcome to Ridgeview Elementary for the 2026-2027 school year! We look forward to working with you and your parents to help you have a wonderful year and attain your educational goals. We believe all students will be productive citizens at Ridgeview and in the future. This is possible when the school is in partnership with students, parents, and the community.

We have high academic, behavioral and social expectations for each of you. We expect that all students are kind, safe and responsible. Our goal is that you have fun while learning and growing at Ridgeview. We want you to develop a love for learning that lasts a lifetime! You will benefit from the many advantages our awesome school has to offer by being actively involved in your own education. Your teachers will provide you with the tools necessary to help you be a successful student. With our guidance, it is your responsibility to utilize these tools and do your personal best each day.

We are here to help you every step of the way through your years at Ridgeview School. If you find yourself in a challenging or difficult situation, seek out the help from your teachers, the counselor, the principal, or any staff member on campus.

This Student/Parent Handbook is designed as a resource tool for all Ridgeview students and your parents. It is intended to help you, the student, understand your responsibilities related to school, as well as make you aware of the opportunities available. It is your responsibility to know and understand the contents of this handbook, pages 1-18.

We will have a great year!

Sincerely,

Mr. Mike Zatzke, M.A. Ed.

Principal

At Ridgeview School, we believe:

Every student can learn according to his/her potential.
Students respond positively to consistent high expectations.
Learning basic skills is fundamental for educational growth.
Students learn best in a caring environment that cultivates personal responsibility.
Everyone at school is to be respectful and understanding of individual needs.
Educational success requires a cooperative effort between staff, parents, and students.

Dear Parent/Guardian,

Please review the Student Handbook with your child and then complete the information below when you have finished.

My child, ____________________________, and I have reviewed and understand the 2026-2027 Student Handbook.

______________________________ _____________________________

Student Signature Parent/Guardian Signature

Note: This signature page may remain in the student planner.

Ridgeview Elementary School Compact

It is our desire that families and school personnel work closely to help students achieve high academic and behavioral standards. Please review this Student Compact with your child, and sign it by September 1st.

Staff Pledge

I agree to carry out the folling responsibilities to the best of my ability:

To teach classes through interesting and challenging lessons that promote the highest student achievement.
To motivate students and foster a love of learning.
To have high expectations for all students.
To communicate regularly with families regarding student progress.
To provide a warm, safe, and caring learning environment.
To provide meaningful homework assignments to reinforce and extend learning.
To participate in professional development activities to improve teaching and learning.
To actively participate in collaborative decision making and work consistently with families and colleagues to make school a welcoming place for students and their families.
To respect the school, students, staff and families.

Student Pledge

I agree to carry out the following responsibilities to the best of my ability:

To come to school on time.
To be ready to learn and work hard.
To complete my school and homework.
To communicate regularly with my parents and teachers about school experiences so that they can help me to be successful in school.
To read for pleasure daily.
To respect the school classmates, staff and my family.

Family/Parent Pledge

I agree to carryout the following responsibilities to the best of my ability:

To ensure that my child attends school every day on time.
To ensure that my child has the opportunity to be successful by limiting absences, getting adequate sleep, regular medical attention and a nutritious breakfast and lunch.
To provide a quiet time and place for homework that is free from distractions (e.g. TV, video games).
To read with my child or encourage my child to read for pleasure daily.
To communicate to my child the importance of school by monitoring my child's progress accademically, emotionally, and socially.
To participate in school activies such as parent-teacher conferences and volunteer activities.
To respect the school, staff, students and families.

_______________________________________ __________________________________ ___________________

Parent/Guardian Signature & Date Student's Name Teacher's Name

ACADEMICS & ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES

ACADEMIC ASSESSMENTS

Improving student achievement is a goal of the Eureka Union School District. Assessments are used to monitor student learning, recommend student placement in various school programs and to plan how to increase student achievement at school and across the district.

CLASSROOM ASSESSMENTS

On a daily basis, teachers check for student understanding of grade level standards using formal and informal classroom assessments. Throughout each trimester, teachers complete a series of assessments to report student progress on report cards.

DISTRICT ASSESSMENTS

Students are given diagnostic assessments at the beginning, middle, and end of each school year. Teachers use information from these assessments to plan instruction and monitor student progress toward meeting district standards. The district assessment in use for the 2026-2027 school year is called iReady.

STATE ASSESSMENTS

In the spring, all students in grades three through eight take the CAASPP test. The district’s goal is to have students score at the levels of Standard Met (3) or Standard Exceeded (4). The CAASPP assessment is typically taken in May each year.

ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT

Various enrichment opportunities are available at Ridgeview and may include one or more of the following:

The Destination Imagination program is a fun, hands-on system of learning that fosters students’ creativity, courage and curiosity through open-ended academic challenges in the fields of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) and service learning.
Math Olympiad is a program dedicated to stimulating enthusiasm, fostering creativity, and strengthening intuition in mathematical problem solving. Teams of students explore mathematical concepts while developing flexibility in solving non-routine problems with multiple solution paths.
Nature Bowl is an annual science based educational program for 3rd - 6th graders that increases ecological knowledge and conservation literacy. In team settings, students learn about the environment while building teamwork skills and sharpening their creative/critical thinking abilities.
STAR World Language classes teach students a foreign language in an immersive, interactive, and fun environment. Classes are available before school.
STAR Galaxy is a before/after school program that balances academic support, enrichment, fitness, and recreation activities.

ACADEMIC INTERVENTION

Academic Intervention is provided to students within their classroom through differentiated instruction in various means.

Teachers design lessons to be accessible to students with a variety of skill levels. These strategies are often referred to as Universal Design for Learning, or UDL.
Teachers utilize specialized, self-adapting programs, such as iReady Personalized Instruction, to provide weekly time where students practice math and reading skills at their own pace. Teachers also work directly with small groups of students to build skills that need more intensive intervention.
Students potentially needing additional, specific support may be referred by their teacher to a Student Success Team (SST) meeting.

AERIES PARENT PORTAL

An email with login information will be sent from EurekaUSD@Aeries.net when new parent accounts are created. The url for parent access is: https://eurekausd.aeries.net/student

If you need assistance setting up an account or accessing an existing account, please contact the school office.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

Students participate in P.E. classes twice weekly. P.E. is taught by a credentialed P.E. teacher. The program is designed to increase fitness, improve skills, learn new games and activities, and teach teamwork and cooperation. Students are required to wear shoes and clothing conducive to participating in P.E. activities on their P.E. days. Students may only be excused from P.E. if they have a note from a parent or doctor. Notes from home may excuse a student from P.E. for two consecutive P.E. classes. Beyond two sessions, a doctor’s note is required to be turned in to the Ridgeview health office. Fifth grade students participate in the California Physical Fitness Test each spring.

LIBRARY

Students participate in Library lessons delivered by our Library Tech for 30 minutes weekly. Students participate in lessons that extend classroom concepts, review literacy concepts such as genre and style, connect to our character development program, or explore topics of the season.

MUSIC AND BAND

All students receive music instruction 30 minutes once a week with a credentialed music teacher. This music course is intended to increase an appreciation for musicality and vocal music.
Fourth grade students receive direct classroom instruction from a credentialed music teacher playing the recorder, 5th grade students focus on percussion, and 6th grade students learn the ukulele.
Fifth and sixth grade students may join the school band. Beginning Band, for first year 5th and 6th grade students, introduces students to brass, wind and percussion instruments. Intermediate Band, for 6th grade second year students, continues the skills learned in fifth grade and prepares them for junior high school band. A credentialed band teacher, in a co-curricular schedule, teaches band. Students who miss classroom curriculum work are required to make up any missed work.

LUNCHTIME ACTIVITIES

Various lunchtime activities occur throughout the year. Lunch Bunch occurs during lunch with our school counselor. We also have Student Clubs during lunch recess times supervised by a staff member. Students are encouraged to listen to our morning announcements and check the weekly Roadrunner Review for information regarding additional lunchtime activities. Students who do not demonstrate appropriate behavior or participation in their education may be excluded from Lunchtime Activities.

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES

A team including the principal and teachers, with input from students, will seek opportunities throughout the year to celebrate students for positive behavior, as well as plan special activities during recess, lunch or class time. Students who do not demonstrate appropriate behavior or participation in their education may be excluded from Special Activities.

OUTDOOR EDUCATION: October 12-16, 2026

The sixth grade attends an environmental outdoor education camp in the fall. Westminster Woods is located in the redwoods of western Sonoma County, near the Russian River and the Sonoma Coast. This program takes the students from the classroom to a new environment where they study elements unique to the outdoors. Concepts of the environment are better taught through first-hand experience of discovering, observing, and being actively involved. Participating students pay a fee for this program. Scholarships are available from the PTC for families needing assistance. It is our philosophy that every student earns the opportunity to attend Outdoor Education by meeting reasonable standards in the areas of behavior and academic effort. Students who do not demonstrate appropriate behavior or participation in their education may be excluded from Outdoor Education.

YEARBOOK

Students may purchase yearbooks. Families are notified when yearbooks are on sale. Purchases are completed online, and the school may sell any remaining yearbooks at the end of the school year on a first-come basis after final orders are placed. Yearbooks are distributed during the last week of school.

BOOKS AND MATERIALS

Each student is issued a set of books for the school year. Students are expected to care for the books and materials and return them in June in a similar condition. Students are charged for excessive wear, tear, and damage to classroom and library books and need to clear fines by the end of the school year.

HOMEWORK: ABSENCES & LATE WORK

Late work due to absence may be made up without penalty: one additional day per day of absence is the district guidelines. At teacher discretion, late assignments may have points deducted. Teachers will communicate which assignments may be turned in late or redone for additional/partial credit. Parents are encouraged to access PowerSchool, Google Classroom, and teacher newsletters in order to monitor their child’s progress.

HOMEWORK POLICY

Eureka Union School District's Updated Board Policy on Homework (March 20, 2018)

The Board Policy (BP) and Administrative Regulations (AR) were updated to reflect current research on the effective homework design and its impact on student achievement and well-being.

Purpose of Homework:

Practice - Reinforce skills and concepts that were taught in the classroom.
Completion - Complete tasks that were not finished in class (e.g. rewrite of an essay, complete a problem set).
Preparation - Prepare students for upcoming lessons or units, as well as studying for tests
Self-Regulation Skills - Help teach students critical fundamental skills such as planning, organization, time management, and responsibility.

Homework Guidelines on Quantity:
Grade 4- Average of 40 minutes of homework per night, Monday – Thursday
Grade 5- Average of 50 minutes of homework per night, Monday – Thursday
Grade 6- Average of 60 minutes of homework per night, Monday – Thursday

HOMEWORK REQUESTS

Parents may request homework for a student absent two days or more by emailing the teacher or calling the main office prior to 10:00 AM. The assignments may be picked up in the office from 3:30PM to 4:00 PM. If your child is only absent one day, please do not call for homework. Some teachers record assignments in Google Classroom or on a teacher website; please check there to stay informed regarding homework.

SHORT TERM INDEPENDENT STUDY CONTRACT

Purpose
- Independent Study is a voluntary program in which students may be enrolled when it is necessary to be away from school for three to fifteen school days. No more than 2 contracts per school year.
Agreement
- Parents wishing to enroll their children in the EUSD Independent Study program shall do so through the Master Agreement for Short Term Independent Study. This Master Agreement (Contract) must be digitally signed by the student, parent/guardian, teacher and Principal.
- Eureka Union School District - Independent Study LINK
Requirements
- Parents must fill out our online Short Term Independent Study Contract NO LESS THAN FIVE (5) SCHOOL DAYS PRIOR to the initiation (first day) of the contract. In addition to the link above, you can find the contract under the “parents” tab on our website.
- Assignments will be provided on the school day prior to the entry date noted on the contract. All assignments must be returned to school no later than the school day following the exit date noted on the contract in order for the student to receive attendance credit.
- All Short Term Independent Study Contracts need to be completed prior to two weeks from the last day of school, and no new contracts will be started during the last two weeks of school and there are no contracts during CAASPP testing in May. For 2026-2027, all contracts must be completed by May 14, 2027
Content of Master Agreement (Contract)
- Teachers will prepare specific assignments and expectations for student learning to be completed during the term of the Contract. These learning expectations will be directly aligned with classroom instruction, to the extent possible.
Attendance Accounting
- Full attendance credit will be given if all assignments are completed at the level of teacher expectation and are submitted in accordance with the timeline specified in the Master Agreement.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

“BIG THREE” TICKETS

The Ridgeview Staff give tickets to students who demonstrate the Big Three (Kind, Safe, Responsible). The tickets are turned into the office and are entered into a special drawing daily and/or weekly. Students whose tickets are drawn receive an incentive reward.

CHARACTER AWARDS

The Character Program emphasizes demonstrating positive character traits. Our Character program is based on the Six Pillars of Character from Character Counts: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. Character Traits are selected for a period of school and may include additional character traits as determined by the staff as areas for school-wide focus. Weekly Wisdom videos are presented to students each week which teach students aspects of these character traits, introduce goal setting, and facilitate self reflection. Students may be selected to appear on a “Shout Out” Weekly Wisdom video to share their goal, growth, or positive character they have seen other students demonstrate. Each character trait period, selected students from each class will be recognized at an assembly for their outstanding achievement. Parents and families are encouraged to attend these presentations and join in the celebration of their students. Students will receive a certificate and a token of appreciation.

SPIRIT COUNT WINNERS

Each Friday, students are encouraged to wear school colors or school shirts. On spirit days, students participate in special dress days such as ”sports day” or “silly hat and hair day”. Classes with the highest participation receive the spirit trophy for their classroom for the next month.

ADDITIONAL RECOGNITION

If appropriate and beneficial to the students body, the school may recognize students in additional methods. Such areas may include academic success, participation or excellence in extra-curricular activities, or outstanding community service contributions.

BEHAVIOR POLICY

PHILOSOPHY FOR CONDUCT

The Ridgeview School Staff believes that each student has a right to an outstanding education in a safe and caring environment. It is the responsibility of parents, students, and staff to work together to create this environment.

SCHOOL EXPECTATIONS: BE KIND, BE SAFE, BE RESPONSIBLE

The following are general expectations. Students will be taught specific kind, safe and responsible expectations for around the campus at the beginning of the school year as well as throughout the school year.

BE KIND:

Be kind to yourself, to each other and to the school
Be respectful at all times
Use appropriate school language and gestures
Teasing, bullying and fighting is not allowed at school
Clean up materials, trash, and personal items in the classroom and at lunch
Clean up litter on the school grounds when you see it

BE SAFE:

Follow classroom, playground, and school rules/policies
Be in supervised areas only
Walk when inside buildings and on sidewalks
Line up properly before entering rooms
Use class and school materials and equipment properly

BE RESPONSIBLE:

Complete classwork and homework on time
Study for quizzes and tests
Ask for help when you need it
Be knowledgeable and demonstrate understanding in your behavior/actions of class & school expectations
Return to class promptly when the bell rings at the end of recess, lunch or other classes/activities
Have cell phones, Apple watches (and other such devices) off and in your backpack during the school day

CELL PHONES/ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Cell phones, Apple/smart watches and other such devices must be turned off and kept in backpacks while students are on campus, before school and during the school hours, 8:50 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. (2:20 p.m. on Wednesdays). Students may use their phones after school. If used during school hours, phones will be held in the office until the end of the school day. Cell phones and other electronic devices should not be used on the school bus, and are also prohibited during school-sponsored activities, such as after-school clubs.

TECHNOLOGY AND E-SAFETY

For students in grades 4th through 8th, Eureka Union School District provides a 1:1 Chromebook experience. Students are provided with a Chromebook to use with digital curriculum, online applications, and to learn new skills such as coding and digital design.

Chromebook Protection Plan

At the beginning of each school year, parents have the option of signing up their student for the Chromebook Protection Plan. This plan covers damaged Chromebooks such as cracked screens, key functionality, and other mechanical failures. For more information on the Chromebook Protection plan click the following link: Chromebook Protection Plan.

In order for students to use their chromebook, parents sign the Technology Use Agreement in the Annual Student Update in your Powerschool Account. If this agreement has not been signed at the start of the school year, student Chromebook use may be revoked. Students must abide by the Technology Use Agreement, and students breaking the contract may lose their computer privileges. Computers may only be used for school related projects and communication.

Internet use is part of the curriculum and a necessary tool for learning. To the extent practical, steps shall be taken to promote the safety and security of users with Ridgeview’s online computer network. Access to the Internet, Google Drive, and other classroom related technology is a privilege for pupils who show a responsible and mature approach to its use. The school uses GoGuardian to monitor student internet and Chromebook use during the school day. Parents have access to the GoGuardian Parent Portal to monitor student Chromebook uses outside of the school day.

The most common technology infractions by students are watching Youtube and playing video games. Neither are appropriate uses for a student’s school computer, and students are directed to only use these platforms on a personal device with parent permission.

Directions for access to GoGuardian Parent Portal:

Setting up GoGuardian Parents
Download App (Apple Devices) (Google Play) and open the application
Enter your email address (be sure it is the email address on file with the school)
If you cannot access your child’s account please contact Lesley Day at lday@eurekausd.org for assistance. Please include your email address, the names of your children, and a phone number you can be reached at for any additional questions.
A prompt will appear asking for you to “Please check your email - Click the link in your email to log in.”
Review the terms and conditions
Explore GoGuardian for Parents
For multiple children toggle between children at the top of the app
Explore visited sites
Configure filtering settings
Pause internet access
Set time limits

PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING

Plagiarism is a form of cheating involving improperly citing or omitting the author or source. Cheating includes taking or giving work to another student to use during learning tasks. Consequences for cheating is a behavioral referral and may include reduction of the academic grade.

DRESS CODE - STUDENT DRESS AND APPEARANCE

Student dress should not be disruptive to the educational program. Parents may be asked to bring a change of clothing if deemed necessary. The school principal, or designee, has the final decision in dress code compliance. Students and parents should check clothing before leaving home to ensure dress code compliance.

Please follow these guidelines:

Dress should be modest, neat, clean, appropriate and compatible with educational activities, including P.E. and daily recess.
For safety reasons, shoes must be worn at all times. Slippers are not allowed. Sandals must have a strap around the heel. Crocs must have the strap in place behind the heel at school. Crocs may not be worn during PE. An appropriate change of shoes should be brought on P.E. days.
Shorts and skirts must be long enough to cover students appropriately.
Torn jeans/pants/shorts/tops must cover students appropriately.
Halter tops, tube tops, and tank tops with oversized armholes are not appropriate at school.
Undergarments should not be seen.
Midriffs must be covered. A student’s upper wear (shirts, blouse, etc.) should comfortably meet with lower wear (pants, shorts, skirts, etc.) while sitting, standing, and doing physical activity at school.
Overalls should be worn with dress code appropriate shirts & both straps are to be fastened securely.
Pajamas are not allowed (except on designated spirit days).
Emblems, words, and pictures on clothing should be appropriate to the elementary educational setting. No drug, alcohol, tobacco, violence, or weapon references or images shall be worn.
Caps/hats should be worn with the bill facing forward; hats/hoods will be removed in the MPR for assemblies, in the library (per library clerk request) and in the classroom (per teacher request).

DISPLAY OF AFFECTION

School is a place of business and should be treated accordingly. Inappropriate displays of affection by students is not acceptable at school or at any school sponsored activity.

GUM

Gum chewing is NOT allowed on campus at any time.

FOOD

Students shall not share food with others at school. Students should not bring candy, soda, energy drinks, gum, sunflower seeds, or drinks in glass bottles.

Allergen-Free table at lunch:

Students with food allergies may sit at the Allergen-Free table during lunch time and invite a friend as space at the table allows. All students sitting at these tables shall have their lunch inspected by a staff member for food containing allergens. Students at Ridgeview are expected to demonstrate an appropriate amount of initiative by bringing their lunch to staff before sitting at the Allergen Free tables.

Family Guidelines for Bringing Food Treats:

We know that many parents & guardians like to celebrate birthdays and other occasions with special treats. We encourage celebrating with non-food items such as stickers, pencils, themed erasers, or other trinkets, rather than food. We strongly recommend prepackaged items with labels to support food allergies in our classrooms. Please instruct your child not to share food with other classmates.

Parents MUST provide at least one week's notice to the teacher before bringing in food items.
If advance notice is not given, and food is delivered to the office, the food may remain in the office until health staff have an opportunity to review the ingredients. This may result in food not being distributed to students if health staff are unable to verify ingredients.

PERSONAL PROPERTY

Students are encouraged to bring only school-related items to school. Students should not bring large sums of money to school. Students may not trade or exchange money or items. Personal property having no bearing on studies is not allowed at school, including, but not limited to, toys, stuffed animals, blankets, or other non-school related items. The principal, or designee, has the final decision on the outcome of personal or prohibited items brought to school. Teachers and/or the principal may hold items for parents to pick up in the main office during school hours. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen personal property.

PROHIBITED ITEMS

Certain personal items are not allowed at school, including, but not limited to, the following items: weapons or objects that could reasonably be viewed as weapons, pocket knives or other knives, matches or lighters, aerosol cans (i.e. body spray), glass bottles, and all objects which, in any way, might be considered dangerous to students or the learning environment. The principal, or designee, has the final decision on the outcome of prohibited items brought to school. Teachers and/or the principal may hold items for parents to pick up in the main office during school hours. Students bringing prohibited items to school may also result in significant disciplinary consequences, including consultation with our partners in law enforcement.

BULLYING

Bullying is defined as unwanted and aggressive behavior among school aged children.

Bullying includes the following components:

An imbalance of power: Students who bully use their power—such as physical strength, access to embarrassing information, or social power and popularity—to control or harm others. Power imbalances can change over time and in different situations, even if they involve the same people.
Repetition: Bullying behaviors happen more than once or have the potential to happen more than once, in spite of attempts to end the behavior.
Bullying includes actions such as making verbal or physical threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose. Bullying may be verbal, social, emotional, or physical.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT BETWEEN STUDENTS (BP 5145.1)

Sexual harassment exists when the action being complained of is considered by a reasonable person of the same age and gender as the victim to be sufficiently severe as to have a negative impact upon the student’s academic performance or creating a hostile or offensive educational environment. Prohibited sexual harassment includes but is not limited to: persistent unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and verbal, visual or physical conduct of a sexual nature made by someone from or in the educational

setting (including jokes, drawings, slurs, threats, leering, stories, gestures, rumors, touching).

CONSEQUENCES FOR INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR

SCHOOL-BASED BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION - RULES AND CONSEQUENCES

Students are expected to adhere to behavior/discipline policies. Classroom teachers, paraprofessionals, and other school staff may issue behavior referral notifications when a student fails to follow classroom or school-wide rules.

SCHOOL-BASED BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION - FAMILY NOTIFICATION

Parents and guardians are notified if their student has been given a behavior referral through an automated e-mail notification system. An example notification demonstrates the type of information communicated to families, and additional information can be requested by contacting the referring staff member.

SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION

The Eureka Union School District adopted Suspension and Expulsion procedures based on California Education Code guidelines. Students should be aware that the following behaviors are considered very serious and may be used as grounds for suspension or expulsion from school if the infraction occurs while on school grounds, while going to or coming from school, and/or during or while going to or coming from a school sponsored activity. Please note that this is a partial list of CA Ed Code guidelines. Infractions include, but are not limited to:

Causing or attempting to cause physical injury to a person.
Possessing a dangerous weapon.
Possessing, selling, using, or furnishing a controlled substance, alcoholic beverages, or intoxicant.
Stealing or attempting to steal school or private property.
Possessing or using tobacco.
Selling, offering, or possessing drug paraphernalia.
Committing an obscene act or using habitual profanity or vulgarity.
Disrupting school activities or otherwise willfully defied valid authority.
Knowingly receiving stolen property.
Causing or attempting to cause damage to school or private property.
Engaged in an act of bullying, including electronic bullying.
Harassment of others. (BP 5145.1)

COMING AND GOING TO SCHOOL

HOURS - SCHOOL AND OFFICE HOURS

School hours are 9:05 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and 9:05 a.m. to 2:20 p.m. every Wednesday. Students arriving after 9:05 a.m. must check in at the office before going to class. Students may arrive between 8:50-9:05 a.m. Students may only arrive earlier if they are participating in a supervised school activity. Likewise, students are expected to leave campus immediately after the school day, unless they are in a supervised activity.

General supervision is not provided for students who arrive before 8:50 AM or remain later than 15 minutes after dismissal times.

The main office is open 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. daily.

ARRIVAL TO SCHOOL

Students should arrive between 8:50 a.m. and 9:05 a.m. Students must go to the supervised morning recess on the main blacktop. Students may not loiter in unsupervised areas of campus, including but not limited to the fire lane, bike rack, sidewalk, lunch tables, and MPR areas.

Students arriving by car should exit their car on the passenger side, directly onto the sidewalk in the designated drop off area on Twin Schools Road. To keep traffic flowing, parents shall not remain parked on Twin Schools Road.

Students arriving on foot, bike, or scooter should walk along the sidewalk of Twin Schools Road.

Students should NOT travel through Oakhills’ campus when arriving at school, as Oakhills is in session at that time.

CLOSED CAMPUS

Ridgeview School is a closed campus. Once students arrive on campus, they must remain on campus until the end of the school day or until a parent signs them out in the school office, unless attending a school-sponsored field trip.

LEAVING DURING SCHOOL HOURS

Students may not leave campus for any reason unless signed out by an authorized adult. Any parent checking out a student must come into the school office and sign out their student. Students stay in their class until the office calls for them, and we will not call your child to the office early before you arrive. Other adults checking out a student must be listed on the emergency contacts or have written/emailed permission from the parent stating that permission is granted for the school to release their student to that person.

If you need to pick up your child early, plan to arrive while your child is in class, not during lunch or recess times. It’s difficult to find students during recess time and takes our staff members away from supervising. Please plan for an extra 10-15 minutes if you arrive at recess, and you may have to wait until your child is back in class.

ATTENDANCE

Daily school attendance is essential for student success. By law, parents are obligated to send their child to school daily. Please try to schedule appointments during non-school hours. A student’s absence is deemed excused for the following reasons: personal illness, quarantine under the direction of a county or city health manager, medical/dental/orthodontic and other medical appointments, or attendance at a funeral service of an immediate family member.

When your student is absent from school, state law requires verification of absence. Please call our attendance line (916) 791-6129 by 10:00AM or submit your attendance online at: https://ridgeview.eurekausd.org/About/Attendance/. Absences over 10 days per school year will require verification with a doctor’s note.

Students with chronic absenteeism or excessive tardies may be considered truant, and parents/guardians are notified through the following processes:

Attendance Letter #1: Mailed notification when 4-7 absences have accrued to the point that parents should monitor attendance.
Attendance Letter #2: Mailed notification when 8-11 absences present a continued concern to the school and may necessitate a meeting in the future.
Attendance Letter #3: Mailed and E-mailed notification that 12 + absences present a significant concern and a School Attendance Review Team (SART) meeting will be scheduled. The SART team consists of the parents/guardians and the principal, and the team may include additional members (Clerk, School Nurse, School Counselor, Teacher, Case Manager) depending on the reasons behind the attendance concerns.
Attendance Letter #4: Mailed and E-mailed notification that attendance has continued to be such a significant concern following a SART meeting that the School Attendance Review Board (SARB) process has been initiated. (Education Code Section 4826.5)

TARDY

Students arriving after the first bell at 9:05 a.m. must check in at the school office before going to class. Excessive tardiness has a detrimental effect on learning and is disruptive to the educational process. Excessive tardiness is considered Truancy. (Education Code Section 4826.5).

MESSAGES AND DELIVERIES (BP 6116)

Due to the volume of requests and multiple classroom interruptions, we encourage parents to refrain from calling with nonessential personal messages and/or dropping off items such as food, school supplies, or homework/class assignments. Parents are encouraged to let students assume personal responsibility for remembering these items. Items brought to school will be placed at the front office and students may pick them up during non-instructional time, such as recess and lunch.

Special occasion balloons and flowers are NOT allowed on campus. Thank you for understanding that interruptions disrupt the educational process. No delivery services are allowed for students (example, DoorDash).

BUS TRANSPORTATION

The goal of the EUSD Transportation Department is to provide safe and reliable transportation for the students of the District. Students are considered to be “at school” while riding the bus, and all school rules apply. Students are to follow the school and bus rules at all times when riding a school bus to and from school and/or on field trips. Transportation questions and concerns are to be directed to the Transportation Department at (916) 774-1231.

CYCLISTS / SKATEBOARDERS / SCOOTER RIDERS

Bicycles, skateboards, and non-motorized scooters must be locked in the bike rack area. Please review safety rules with your children. It is a state law that all children riding these vehicles wear helmets. Staff on duty will bring students without helmets to the office. Cyclists/skateboarders/scooter riders need to walk on the sidewalks within the school zone. Riding across the blacktop or backfield is not permitted.

E-Bikes and E-Scooters

To drive an E-Scooter, the operator MUST have a valid learner's permit or driver's license. Since none of our students are old enough to have a learner’s permit or driver’s license, all E-Scooters will be held at school, and parents must pick them up. Students will not be allowed to ride home on an E-Scooter.

Class 1 and Class 2 E-Bikes have a maximum speed of 20 mph and are legal ONLY if they are wearing a secure helmet and are on the bike alone. If there is a second rider, or if the rider is not wearing a helmet, these are considered illegal. Riders must be 16 to ride a Class 3 E-Bike, and all Class 3 E-Bikes will be held at school for parents to pick up.

FEIST PARK

Students should only play at Feist Park, before or after school, when supervised by a parent or guardian.

LOST AND FOUND

Students are encouraged to label all of their personal belongings. Unclaimed lost and found items are donated during winter/February/spring breaks and at the end of the school year. Please frequently check the lost and found storage rack near the MPR for items.

SAFETY AT SCHOOL

ANNUAL REGISTRATION & EMERGENCY INFORMATION

This online process must be completed before the school year for every student. Once it is completed, the student has access to computer use and gives parents a portal for creating/updating their parent access accounts to their child’s PowerSchool information. Through the Annual Registration Process parents electronically sign the Technology User Agreement, complete emergency information, and other essential data for their child.

It is imperative that emergency contact information be kept current. In the event of an emergency, the school must be able to contact a parent/guardian or other emergency contact. Whenever there is a change in address or phone number, notify the office as soon as possible.

VISITING SCHOOL / VOLUNTEERING

All visitors and volunteers are required to check in at the office before going onto campus and are required to wear a visitor’s badge or sticker. Volunteers must complete required district forms and clearances to volunteer at school or on field trips. If a conference with the teacher is desired, an appointment should be set with the teacher during non-instructional time. When school is in session, all visitors must go directly to the school office to register (Penal code 627.6) before entering the campus. Visitors may not distract teachers while they are on playground supervision duty; they are there for student safety.

Ridgeview Elementary Volunteer Website: https://ridgeview.eurekausd.org/Parents/Volunteer/index.html

FIRE AND EMERGENCY DRILLS

Fire drills and other emergency drills are practiced monthly throughout the year. During drills and actual events, students are to follow the directions of the teacher and/or staff member and, if evacuated, to report in a quick, quiet, and orderly manner to their assigned area for role call and follow-up instructions.

MEDICATION

When students need to take medication during school hours the following procedure must be followed:

The parent or guardian will notify the school nurse or school office of the need for the student to take medication during school hours. A school Medication Form must be completed and signed by the attending physician and parent.
Forms will be kept with the medication in the school office.
Medication must be brought to the school office by the parent in the original prescription container.
Students may carry their own epi-pens and own inhalers provided that all guidelines are followed and proper paperwork has been completed. The necessary forms are available in the office.
Medicine, including aspirin & throat lozenges, shall not be kept in a student’s pocket, lunch box, desk, backpack or the teacher’s desk.

Unless a completed medical form is on file in the school office, school personnel cannot give medication.

EXCESSIVE HEAT & SPARE THE AIR DAYS

Eureka USD and Ridgeview follow the guidance of the CDPH Extreme Heat Guidance for Schools and the Recommendations for Schools and Others on Poor Air Quality Days. Students are held inside when temperature or air quality concerns dictate limiting time outside.

Enrollment/Registration