RHS BlueJay Bulletin
August Edition 08-21-22
Updated Cell Phone Policy
As we approach the start of the 2022-2023 school year I want to reach out to our families to share a reminder about our expectations related to student use of personal electronic devices. For many years our procedures and policy have prohibited the use of student electronic devices during instructional time, this includes, but is not limited to, cellular phones, headphone/earbuds, smart watches, et cetera. We want to remind students and families that this policy will remain in effect.
- It is my expectation that students will refrain from using their personal devices during class time for any purpose.
- It is my expectation that these deceives be stored in a pocket, bag, or backpack during class time. It is not appropriate or acceptable for these devices to be sitting out on desks tops, in student laps, or otherwise on display and/or easily visible/accessible. Additionally, it is NOT permissible for these items to be plugged in and charging during class time.
- District policy prohibits the use of any recording device without the expressed permission of the Board of Education or their designee.
- Students are permitted to appropriately use their devices during non-class times (i.e. passing periods, before/after school, during lunch time in the cafeteria, et cetera).
I have instructed teachers to be more vigilant in addressing this concern and sending student to see their assistant principal when students fail to meet this expectation. I am also aware that some teachers were more relaxed with their enforcement of these expectations in the past and I have provided clear instruction that such options are no longer appropriate or allowable. Assistant principals will work to implement the following disciplinary scope and sequence:
1st Offense: Written Warning,Turn in device to the office for the remainder of the school day (student may pick-up the device), Email/letter to parent
2nd Offence: Detention, Turn in device for remainder of the school day (parent must pick-up the device), Email/letter to parent
3rd Offense: Detention, Turn in device for remainder of the school day (parent must pick-up the device), Formal Student Electronic Device Behavior Plan developed, Parent Phone Conference
4th Offense & Beyond: ISS, Turn in device for remainder of the school day (parent must pick-up the device), Parent In-Person Conference, Review and revision of Student Electronic Device Behavior Plan. Plan must include provision requiring the student to turn in the phone to the office daily for no less than 2 consecutive tristers.
In the last several years, we have seen a significant increase in students using these devices for non-academic purposes during academic time. Watching videos, using social media sites, playing video games, texting/chatting, and a variety of other observed off-task behaviors have no purpose or place during class time. While these off-task behaviors are concerning enough, we have even greater concern in the dramatic increase in students engaging in inappropriate behavior through the use of personal devices during school hours. Often, these issues occur using websites/apps that school officials and parents may be unaware of and/or unable to access to appropriately monitor student/child usage. Harassment, sexual harassment, bullying, provocation and planning of violence/fighting, threats, viewing and transmission of pornographic material, and “sexting” are just a few of the disturbing behaviors that we have dealt with in the last few years. These behaviors are not acceptable. They present a clear danger to our students and the good order and morale of the school.
Technology has many benefits, but it also has some detractors that can be disruptive, dangerous, and inappropriate. There is a time and place for appropriate use of such personal devices, but that is not during class time. We provide every student a laptop, which we are able to more closely monitor through security protocols to inhibit, limit, and/or eliminate many of the concerning off-task behaviors. I want to reiterate that personal devices will not be used during class time for any purpose, they should not be visible or otherwise in use.
We understand that parents also use these devices to communicate with their students. We ask that parents understand that students will need to review such communication outside of class time. Should a parent need to immediately communicate with their student for some emergency purpose, we ask that you contact the office so that we can have your student called out of class to communicate with you in a private location. We also know that this practice will not completely eliminate the issues related to inappropriate use of personal electronic devices, but it is our hope that we can reduce such behaviors and help students refocus on class instruction and positive productive peer interactions.
We encourage every parent to have open discussion with their student(s) about how to responsibly and appropriately use these devices. We will continue to provide our annual advisory based curriculum related to responsible use of technology. I need your help and support in ensuring that our classrooms remain a safe, productive, and positive place for students and staff to learn and work.
Sincerely,
Chad M. Bruton, Ed.D.
Principal
Tardies and Attendance
- School begins at 7:15 and ends at 2:20.
- Students who arrive at school after 7:25 are considered a late check-in. Unexcused late check-ins are considered tardy.
- To excuse an absence, please email rhsattendance@raytownschools.org (816) 268-7310
- Starting Thursday, August 25th, students who are late to class will receive a tardy.
- 5 tardies results in a warning.
- 10 tardies result in detention (before school 6:00-7:00, or after school 2:30-3:30).
- 15 or more tardies result in a day of ISS for each increment of 5 accumulated from that point forward.
- Unserved detentions will result in ISS. If your student has transportation issues, please make sure to communicate with your student's assistant principal.
Student Parking and Car Rider Information
Car Rider Drop-Off/ Pick-Up: (see pictures below)
- Car Riders can drop off on 61st street and on the East side of the building. You will enter the parking lot via Blue Ridge Blvd. using the first entrance. (PICTURED BELOW)
- Cars will proceed to the second lane and drop students off just past the curve and the crosswalk. (PICTURED BELOW)
- Due to the high volume of bus riders, once traffic has stopped and you are in the drop off lane, (past the traffic barricade) please let out your student.
- Students will need to proceed up the car lane to the crosswalk to avoid bus traffic. This is a safety measure. Do not step over the orange chains on the cones. (PICTURED BELOW)
- When picking up students, please pull to the second lane and pull around to the crosswalk area to leave enough room for cars to pass who are ready to leave before you.
Student Parking
- Students must have a parking permit to park on the RHS premises. You can use the link below to fill out the required parking permit form: Link To Form
- Parking Permits are $21.00.
- Students will receive tickets for parking in any staff or visitor parking. (PICTURED BELOW)
Parking and Car Rider Overview
Student Policy Reminders and Helpful Tips
School Issued Technology
- Students should bring their laptops and chargers to school every day.
- Laptops will be distributed in advisory on Wednesday, August 24th.
- If your student still has their device, they need to bring it with them to have it checked in.
- Students should check their student email everyday.
- Students should regularly check their student portal in SISK12
- Student email addresses are their student#.student@raytownschools.org (ex. 123456.student@raytownschools.org)
Dress Code
Dress Expectations
- No clothing item can be worn in a way to conceal the identity of the student. For safety purposes students must be able to be identified by staff and students.
- Student head gear must be worn at or above the forehead and at or behind the ear line so a student’s ears and face are clearly seen from the front and side.
- The body should be covered in a reasonable manner to not expose torso (front, back or side), upper thighs, buttocks, groin, or chest. Solid fabrics should be worn under see-through fabric/garments to ensure such areas are not exposed.
- Undergarments should not be viewable even when clothing is designed to have holes, tears, or is see-through.
- When standing comfortably, a student’s shirt must touch the waistband of the student’s pants, shorts, or skirt, and no portion of the torso (front, back or side) may be exposed.
- Students may not wear clothing containing or referencing profanity, alcoholic beverage logos, tobacco or vaping logos, drug references, sexual references, or any other content that is derogatory, seeks to objectify or degrade others, or is offensive in any manner.
- Student must wear bottoms (pants, shorts, skirts, etc.) at the waist or hips.
- Students may not wear clothing or adornments with gang-related colors, tags, symbols.
- Students must wear appropriate footwear for the school day that does not lead to a disruption to the educational environment.
- Clothing has to be worn as designed. Violations are but are not limited to: Wearing clothing inside/out, backwards, undergarments over top of clothing, pants below the waist, clothing that is tied up or pulled down.
- Any apparel that is disruptive to or unsafe in the educational environment may not be worn.
- Blankets, pillows, and costumes may not be worn or brought to school during the school day.
About Us
Website: https://www.raytownschools.org/rhs
Location: 6019 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown, MO, USA
Phone: (816) 268-7300