Resources
Resources for Families
GDPSW Student Policy Handbook >>
Request of School Personnel to Assist With Medications Form>>
2018-2019 Rainier Valley Student and Family Handbook
Notice of Ongoing Litigation >>
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
Green Dot Public Schools Washington: Board of Directors & Meetings
Members of the public may direct requests for disclosure of public records to Green Dot's Public Records Officer, who oversees Green Dot's compliance within the public records disclosure requirements under RCW Chapter 42.56. Learn more about how to request Public Records here.
Student Support Services
What is it?
- Special education is the term for the federal law titled the Individuals with Disabilities Educational Act (IDEA). The law provides students with disabilities instructional services and other supports needed to ensure they are able to receive a free and appropriate public education (FAPE).
Who is it for?
- For students who have a disability that causes an adverse educational impact which requires specially designed instruction to remediate. Disabilities and eligibility requirements are defined in the Washington State Administrative Codes (WACs). All students must be evaluated and found eligible for and in need of special education services before they can receive support through this program.
Who do I contact for more information?
- Special education teachers and speech language pathologists are the student's case managers. Contact your building principal, school psychologist, SLP, or special education teacher for more information about this program. You may also discuss student concerns with your school child study team.
Childfind
- Please contact the Student Support Department at 253.363.0248 if you would like to refer a student for an evaluation.
Resources:
- http://www.k12.wa.us/SpecialEd/default.aspx
- Procedural Safeguards
- Arc of Washington
- Autism Society of Washington
- Brain Injury Alliance of Washington
- Developmental Disabilities Council
- National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Washington Chapter
- PAVE (Partner for Action Voices in Empowerment)
- Washington State Department of Social and Health Services
- Green Dot Public Schools Washington State Policies and Procedures
- The Transitional Bilingual Instructional Program (TBIP) provides English language instruction for eligible students. Eligible students have a primary language other than English and have been determined eligible based on the Washington Language Proficiency Test, Second Edition and the computer based English Language Proficiency Assessment 21 (ELPA21). TBIP staff members provide instruction in reading, writing, speaking, and listening to eligible students.
- El Programa de Instrucción Bilingüe de Transición (TBIP) ofrece cursos de idioma Inglés para los estudiantes elegibles. Los estudiantes elegibles tienen un idioma primario que no sea Inglés y se han determinado sobre la base del derecho de Washington lingüística de ensayo, Segunda edición. TBIP funcionarios proveer instrucción en lectura, escritura, hablar, y escuchar a los estudiantes elegibles.
Links/Enlace:
- Information in English about education in Washington State
- Información en Español sobre educación en el estado de Washington
- Information about the Washington Language Proficiency Test (WLPT)
- State Bilingual Education Website
Documents/Documentos:
What is it?
- Section 504 is a federal civil rights law that is designed to eliminate discrimination against students with disabilities in programs and activities that receive federal funds. Under Section 504, school districts are required to provide the accommodations that eligible students need in order to access district services.
Who is it for?
- Students who have, have a record of having, or a regarded as having a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life function that impacts the student's ability to access district services.
Who do I contact for more information?
- School counselors are Section 504 student case managers. Contact your building principal or school counselors for more information about Section 504 or to discuss a potential Section 504 referral.
Resources:
What is it?
- The McKinney-Vento Homeless Act provides services to students who are experiencing homelessness. The purpose of McKinney-Vento is to provide homeless students school stability, school access, and support for academic success.
Who is it for?
- Students eligible for McKinney-Vento services lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This includes students who are: sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason students who are living in hotels, motels, trailer parks or campgrounds due to lack of adequate alternative accommodations living in emergency or transitional shelters abandoned in hospitals living in a public or private place not designed for humans to live living in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, bus or train stations, etc. migratory children living in above circumstances
Who do I contact for more information?
- Contact your building principal, school counselor, or the district homeless liaison at 253.363.0248 if you have or are a student who is currently homeless.
Resources:
- Homeless Education in Washington (OSPI)
- National Center for Homeless Education
- S. Department of Education, Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program
- The National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY)
- The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty (NLCHP)
- The National Network for Youth (NNY)
For more information about student support services available for Rainier Valley Leadership Academy students, please contact:
Liz Tyning
School Counselor, Rainier Valley Leadership Academy
3900 S Holly Park Drive
Seattle, WA 98118
Office:206.487.2052
Rainier Valley Leadership Academy
6020 Rainier Ave S,
Seattle, WA 98118
Phone: (206) 659-0956