Resources

Download the recommended school supplies for 2018-19

GDPSW Student Policy Handbook >>

Request of School Personnel to Assist With Medications Form>>

2018-2019 Rainier Valley Student and Family Handbook

GDPSW Complaint Form >>

Notice of Ongoing Litigation >>

Annual Performance Report >>

Use of Technology

Technology is an important component of the instructional programming at RVLA. Students are expected to use school technology appropriately in class by following teacher directions and expectations at all times. Students who misuse technology in class may lose technology privileges.

Points System

RVLA students participate in an on and off points system. The purpose is to teach students the code of conduct through clear, consistent, and immediate feedback.

On Points: Students earn on-points for displaying behavior that exemplifies our school values. On-points are accumulated throughout the year and students can earn incentives and privileges based on their weekly points balance and bid on teacher-sponsored outings.

Off Points: Students earn off-points for displaying behavior that does not meet our code of conduct. An off-point is a tool to give students targeted feedback on their behavior. In addition to providing students

with targeted feedback on their behavior, off-points allow students, staff, and families to see trends in behavior over time, to understand the function of behavior, and put in place targeted interventions. Faculty and staff use their discretion in the delivery of off-points in the instance of dishonesty, disruption, disrespect, dress code violations, off-task behaviors in class, or inappropriate physical contact. Students automatically earn a off-points if they are tardy to class or if they are in the hallway without permission. Once a student earns five off-points, the student earns Recommitment, to be served the same day.

Tracking: Faculty and staff enter points in Schoolrunner by 3:00 PM every day and students and families may access this information anytime (see section V). Additionally, advisors pass out Behavior Slips on the last day of each week, which should be reviewed by the student and family each week.

Middle school students (grades 6 - 8) are required to participate in the educational and academic classes offered in the areas of English, Reading, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science.   

The Green Dot promotion policy ensures that each child is prepared to progress successfully through grade levels in order to prepare for success in high school, college, leadership and life.

• Attendance: In adherence with the Green Dot Attendance Policy, any student who misses more than 15 days in a semester may not earn promotion ceremony/activity privileges. 

• Course Grades: Students who fail one or two courses per school year may be required to pass summer school to qualify for promotion.  The administration reserves the right to review special cases and allow consideration to be given.

• English Learner Resources: We support all students who may need additional English resources and provide a robust curriculum to support students and families in this effort.

RVLA students wear a uniform to promote a culture of excellence and family. We believe the purpose of a uniform policy and system is to practice transitioning into an academic and professional environment, help students avoid learning distractions and status distinctions caused by clothing and accessories, and make getting ready for school easier for students and families.

Students that meet the guidelines for each item are considered “in uniform.” Students that do not meet the guidelines students (this includes wearing non-uniform items around the waist or over the shoulders) are considered “out of uniform” and are not allowed to attend class.

Required Daily Items

Every student, every day should adhere to the required daily items

Polo shirt (collared shirt)

• 6th Grade: Solid heather gray only
• 7th Grade: Solid navy blue only.
• No patterns, prints, logos or text larger than a standard business card (except RVLA logo).
• Short or long sleeve

Pants, capris, shorts, abayas or skirts

• Solid khaki or navy blue only (no sweat pants, jeans or athletic wear).
• Abayas must be solid black or navy blue.
• No embellishments/adornments other than cargo pockets.
• Bottoms must be worn at waist.
• Shorts and skirts must be at least fingertip long while standing upright.

Shoes

• All shoes must have a closed toe.
• Students must be in PE appropriate shoes daily to ensure safe participation.
• No stiletto heels, flip flops, slippers or slides.

Additional Uniform Items

These items are optional but must adhere to uniform policy if worn

Sweaters, sweatshirts and undershirts

• Solid navy blue, white, or tan only
• No patterns, prints, logos or text larger than a standard business card (except RVLA logo).
• No hooded sweatshirts
• No outerwear worn inside classroom

Hijabs

• Solid white, black, navy blue, grey or tan
• Minimal to no embellishments with bead or jewels.

Other Headwear

• Solid white, black, navy blue, grey or tan
• Minimal to no embellishments with bead or jewels.
• No bandanas, doo rags, or hats are allowed

Hygiene Pack

• Students will be required to leave 1 back-up uniform in the main. Please bring items in a sealed ziploc bag, labeled with students first and last name.

Any item that becomes a distraction will be taken and held until the end of the day.

View Uniform Guideline Examples here >>

Hygiene Packs

All students will need a Hygiene Pack stored in their main office. Families will send this pack to school with their students during the first week of school. The hygiene pack should include a clean uniform, deodorant, refreshing wipes (e.g., Kleenex Splash & Go), large baggies (for any dirty or wet clothes), and sanitary napkins.

To reduce loss, we will provide a storage bag for all clothing/items clearly labeled with your student’s first and last name. Please check in regularly with your student about the status of their hygiene pack as they should be replenished as needed by the student.

Students Out of Uniform

We check student uniforms every morning upon arrival. If a student is “out of uniform” and needs a polo, pants, or sweater, the student will change into the extra uniform in their Hygiene Pack. Repeated use of uniform in the Hygiene Pack will result in an automatic Recommitment and phone call home. If there is no uniform in the Hygiene Pack or no Hygiene Pack at all, we follow the following progression to support the student and family to meet expectations:

• The first time, the student may borrow an item for the day. The student is responsible for returning the borrowed items at the end of the day and is assigned an automatic Recommitment. If items are not returned, the family will be charged for the uniform. The family will receive a phone call home to discuss the guidelines.
• The second time, the student may borrow an item for the day. The student is responsible for returning the borrowed items at the end of the day and is assigned an automatic Recommitment. If items are not returned, the family will be charged for the uniform. The family will receive a phone call home to discuss the guidelines.
• The third time (and all additional times), the student may not borrow any items from the uniform station. A family member must deliver the uniform items to the school or the parent or guardian must agree to buy uniform items from the school before the student may return to class. The student is assigned an automatic Recommitment.

Free Dress

Students have the opportunity to earn “free dress” for a variety of reasons. It can be earned by accumulating a certain amount of On Points or it can be “bought” in the Student Store using the student's On Points. Families will be notified about free dress in a variety of ways:

• Students will be given a wristband the day before the day they are to wear their Free Dress. Student must wear the wristband to school the following day in order to avoid a uniform violation.
• It is the student’s responsibility to keep track of the wristband. Wristbands that are lost or forgotten at home will not be replaced and student will be forced to change into uniform.
• Free Dress is only allowed on the first and the last day of the school week with a wristband.
• The school reserves the right to hold “Blackout Dates” on permitted Free Dress days, in which cases Free Dress will be the following day.
• Clothing worn on Free Dress days must be appropriate. If clothing is deemed inappropriate (see below), the student will be forced to change and will lose their Free Dress privilege.

Free Dress Appropriate Clothes:

• Skirts/shorts longer than fingertips
• Jeans with no holes above the knees
• Shirts/tank tops with appropriate necklines, mid-drifts, and two fingertip thick straps
• Closed toed shoes
• The following items are not permitted:
• Sleeping attire, pajamas, or underwear/boxers
• Hats, beanies, skull caps, or sunglasses
• Leggings, tights or yoga pants unless worn under a skirt/dress
• Hooded sweatshirts
• Slides, flip flops or other open toed shoes
• Sheer or see through tops or bottoms
• Ripped jeans or bottoms that expose any areas above the knee
• All clothing must have school-appropriate images or text

Breakfast, lunch and a snack will be served daily. RVLA will offer Free and Reduced Lunch for those who qualify.  Please apply here