Family Handbook
Arrival and Dismissal Times
School starts at 7:30. The first bell rings at 7:15, at which time students may enter the building. There is no supervision either inside or outside the building prior to 7:15 and students should not be on school grounds before 7:15. Dismissal is at 2:00. Students must be picked up at that time as there is no supervision after school hours. If a student is not picked up in a reasonable amount of time and we cannot contact a parent, we will call the police to have the child safely removed from school.
Attendance
Parents/guardians are responsible for informing the school of the reason for any absence, tardy, or early exit. Please call the school office 651.293.8780 or email roberta.hayes@spps.org each day your child is absent. For a planned absence, please send an email or note to your child’s teacher.
The school has the right to accept or deny a parent’s request for excused absences. For the protection of the students, children will not be released from school during school hours without parent/guardian verification of the release.
We work with the Ramsey County Family truancy intervention program, School Attendance Matters (SAM) to improve student attendance. The school’s goal is to intervene with the student and family early to prevent school failure that results from poor attendance.
Parents/guardians and school officials have the duty to assure that a child attends school. Under Minnesota State Law, a student who has 3 or more days of unexcused absences is considered truant. Chronic tardiness or early exits may be included as truancies.
Children do best when there is good communication between families and school. Please contact us with any questions or requests.
Examples of Excused Absences
•Illness - School may request doctor verification or that the parent bring the child to school to be evaluated by school staff.
•Doctor/Dentist Visit – If possible, avoid school hours. If possible, bring your child to school before or after the appointment. We only excuse a half a day for appointments.
•Family Emergency- Death in the family, etc.
•Special Events - Wedding of immediate family
•Religious Holidays
Examples of Unexcused Absences
•Staying at home to baby-sit
•Oversleeping
•Missed bus or traffic
•Waiting to change schools
•Too cold outside
•Vacation – State law does not allow vacation to be excused.
However, many educational and enriching opportunities can come out of vacations. If a student’s attendance is good outside of the vacation, it will not be held against them.
BUS SAFETY
Our primary concern when transporting students to and from school on the bus is safety. All students are expected to demonstrate safe behavior on the bus. Specifically, at all times, riders must stay seated, facing forward, use an inside voice, and follow directions of the bus driver.
There are consequences for any student engaging in inappropriate, unsafe behavior while riding the bus. If your child engages in inappropriate, unsafe behavior, the bus driver will notify the school, who in turn will notify the family. Behavior problems on the bus may result in a written warning, a parent conference with the principal, an assigned seat on the bus, and eventually a suspension of bus-riding privileges from one day to the rest of the school year.
Students may only ride on their assigned bus and get on and off at their assigned stop. Students who normally do not ride the bus are not allowed to go home with friends on the bus. All students who ride the bus on a daily basis must ride the bus home unless the school receives a written note from a parent or guardian stating otherwise. Unless there is a written note, students who normally ride the bus will be expected to ride it home. There are no exceptions to this policy.
CLOTHING
It is important to the learning environment that students come dressed appropriately for school. Clothing should be comfortable and weather appropriate. Students should wear shoes that they can easily walk and run in, no platform or high heel shoes. No flip-flops on the playground equipment. Students will go out for recess unless the temperature or wind chill is zero or below. Warm coats, gloves/mittens, hats and boots are a must in the winter. Proper student dress and grooming are the basic responsibility of students and parents/guardians. Inappropriate clothing includes but is not limited to: short shorts, skimpy tank tops; tops that expose the midriff; clothing which exposes underwear, low riding pants or hats. Backpacks, purses, or bags may not be carried during the school day.
DIGITAL AND E-LEARNING DAYS
Randolph Heights will have synchronous (google meet) and asynchronous(students complete work on their own) lessons for students during the day. Each grade level teacher will have morning meeting and a literacy lesson on-line from 8:30 to 9:30. They will also have a math lesson synchronously from 12:00 to 1:00. This is for all students in every grade.
DISMISSAL
Students will be dismissed each day according to a predetermined arrangement. We are always happy to help out when plans change and appreciate your keeping us informed. However, last-minute changes present a safety concern, because students could end up in the wrong location without supervision. If changes are necessary, please plan ahead. Communicate transportation changes by e-mailing or sending a note to the teacher and the office by 11:00 the day of the change. If the teacher is not notified by 11:00, we cannot guarantee that the child’s way home will be adjusted.
DROP-OFF/PICK-UP SITES
In order to make drop-off and pick-ups safer for children, we have designated certain areas that do not require children to cross the street or walk through the parking lot. Drop off and pick up is on the school side of Wellesley ONLY. We do not allow drop-offs and pick-ups in the staff parking lot. Parents should not stop or park on either side of Hamline or Jefferson to drop off or pick up students.
EMERGENCY INFORMATION
Please make sure we have current address, phone numbers and email for your child(ren). If your address or phone number changes during the year, be sure to notify the office. Unless we have written permission we will not release a child to someone who is not listed as an emergency contact.
ENTRANCES TO SCHOOL
All doors will be locked. During school hours, parents will need to enter through the front doors on Hamline Avenue by utilizing the security system.
FOOD SERVICE
All students are eligible to receive free breakfast and lunch under the Minnesota Free School Meal program. As students arrive at school, they can grab their breakfast and eat in class. Hot and cold breakfast options are available.
Single Item Purchases and Second Meals
Second meals, incomplete meals and single items, such as milk only, must be purchased. The 2024-25 meal and milk prices are:
* Student Second Breakfast: $3.00
* Student Second Lunch: $5.25
* Milk Only: $0.50
Money for lunch will not be collected during the lunch hour. There are several ways to make a payment: go to www.schoolcafe.com and set up an online account where you can pay from home. All of your children will be on one account. A check or cash can also be sent with your child to school. Put it in an envelope marked with the student’s name and CIF number. Checks should be made out to Saint Paul Nutrition Services, with the name of your child in the memo line and phone number on the check.
FOOD/TREATS
In keeping with the district wellness policy, please do not send any special food or snacks (e.g., for birthdays or special occasions) to school without prior approval from the teacher. Randolph Heights wishes to maintain a learning environment that is safe for children with food allergies and is free from excessive snack food. Each classroom teacher will communicate with parents how snacks will be handled in the class; some teachers may choose not to include food or treats in any classroom activities or celebrations. No class will have a celebration with food more than once per month, and food for those occasions will be planned and approved in advance by the teacher. Food will not be given to children as incentive or reward for certain behaviors or accomplishments.
GADGETS
Gadgets, trinkets and toys are discouraged at school. Toys and gadgets include such things as stuffed animals, cars, electronic games and audio equipment, trading cards, etc. It has been our experience that gadgets tend to get lost, stolen, traded, or most importantly, distract students from focusing on their academic work. RHS staff will not be responsible for items that are lost, stolen, broken, or traded.
HEALTH SERVICES
There will be a licensed nurse or health assistant on site every day. For safety reasons, children are not allowed to self-medicate. No over-the-counter drugs may be taken by students at school without the nurse’s approval. All medications must be in the original prescription container and given to the nurse or the office. For long-term medications, a written statement from the physician is required, indicating the reason for prescribing the medication, the dosage, frequency and time of administration. For short-term medication (less than two weeks), a written statement is required from the parent/guardian, indicating the reason for prescribing the medication, the dosage, frequency and time of administration.
HOMEWORK
Homework is a necessary and integral part of the learning process; therefore, it is expected that every student in the St. Paul Public schools receive homework assignments. The benefits of homework include the reinforcement of academic skills as well as the development of student responsibility, self-discipline, and intellectual independence. The student is the major respondent and benefactor in the total homework process.
Suggested time allocations are as follows:
Kindergarten 15-20 minutes per day
Grades 1-3 30 minutes per day
Grades 4-5 30-45 minutes per day
ILLNESS
Let’s help everyone stay healthy! Please keep your child home if he/she:
•Has had a temperature of 100 degrees or higher within the past 24 hours;
•Has vomited or had diarrhea in the past 24 hours
•Has an undiagnosed rash or a new or worsening cough
•Has a suspected or confirmed communicable disease such as impetigo, chicken pox, strep throat. Please notify the office so we can properly notify the other students. Students may return to school once they have been taking medication for 24 hours.
Students who are showing any signs of illness will be sent home. Students who miss three or more consecutive days will require a doctor’s note.
JEWELRY
Jewelry and items that are expensive and cannot be easily replaced should not be worn or brought to school. Randolph Heights staff will not be responsible for items that are lost, stolen, broken or traded.
LOST AND FOUND
The lost and found is located in the cafeteria. Please check the lost and found periodically for items that might belong to your child(ren). All items left in the lost and found are periodically donated. It is a good idea to put your child’s name on all outerwear, including sweatshirts. Small items will be kept in the office.
LUNCH TIMES
K: 10:35-11:05
1st: 11:10-11:40
2nd: 11:45-12:15
3rd: 10:30-11:00
4th: 11:40-12:10
5th: 11:05-12:15
MEDIA RELEASE FORMS
A media release form is included in iUpdate.
MONEY
There is no reason for students to bring large sums of money to school. The only reasons for bringing money to school are for lunch or field trips and should be in a clearly marked envelope. Randolph Heights staff will not be responsible for any money that is lost, stolen, or spent.
NO SCHOOL DATES
All of the days where school is not in session are listed in this calendar.
OFFICE HOURS AND NUMBERS
The office hours at Randolph Heights are 6:00 to 2:30. Shana Ische and Roberta Hayes are happy to help you in any way they can. The office phone number is 651-293-8780.
PHONES
We prefer students do not bring phones to school. If it is absolutely necessary for students to have a phone at school, it MUST remain in their backpack turned off during school hours, on the bus, at parent pickup, or in the walk line. Phones that are heard or seen will be confiscated and must be picked up by an adult in the school office. Students should not share with other students that they have a cell phone. Randolph Heights staff are not responsible if the phone is damaged, lost or taken.
PICK-UP
When picking up students early please allow enough time for us to call for your child when you arrive. Students will not be dismissed from class until a parent is present in the office. If a student leaves before dismissal, they MUST be signed out in the office.
PTA
The PTA helps sponsor and support events and activities throughout the year that enrich our students’ lives, provide them with learning opportunities and also opportunities for families to learn and do activities together. For more information, please e-mail Maggie O’Hara, president of the PTA, at president@rhs-pta.org.
QUESTIONS
If you have questions regarding any aspect of your child’s education at Randolph Heights, do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher. The best time to reach a teacher by phone is after school. You can always reach a teacher by e-mail. E-mail addresses are listed on the Randolph Heights website.
SCHOOL EVENTS
All children must be accompanied by an adult at all school events outside of the school day. Children are not allowed to run around the school, be on the stage (unless performing) or in any rooms not being used for the event. School rules remain the same during the events.
SNOW DAYS
A snow day in Minnesota is just that - a day when it’s snowing and we all go to school. School being canceled because of snow is a rare event in St. Paul. If school is canceled due to weather it will be broadcast on every major TV and radio station as St. Paul Public Schools, not Randolph Heights. The district will also send out an automated call to inform families.
STUDENT CONDUCT
Randolph Heights teaches behavior expectations using specific, kid-friendly language to encourage students to be Safe, Thoughtful, Active, Responsible, and Successful, or STARS. We expect that students listen to and follow directions of the adults in the building and that they abide by the school and district rules at all times. At Randolph Heights we do not tolerate any type of physical aggression, name-calling or insulting others, sexual/racial harassment, bullying, or any type of real or fake (toy) weapons. Consequences for inappropriate conduct include time-outs, fix-it plans, community service, dismissals and suspensions, depending on the incident. Most student conduct incidents will be handled by the teacher.
The following “below the line” behaviors will result in a referral to the office: Assault, Fighting, Bullying, Verbal Abuse, Weapons/Drugs, Harassment, Theft, and Willful Destruction of School Property. All disciplinary action will be taken in accordance with the Rights and Responsibility Handbook. This handbook is available online at http://www.spps.org/rights_and_responsibilities or in the office.
All school rules are in effect from 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM and during evening school events. This includes the playground and entire school grounds.
TEACHER E-MAIL
All e-mail addresses are the staff member’s first and last name, lower case, separated by a period, followed by @spps.org. For example, the principal’s e-mail address is timothy.williams@spps.org.
TRANSPORTATION
Please download the bus status app “My SPPS Bus” from Google Play or Apple App store for free. This app will allow you to track if the bus is on time or running late.
USING THE INTERNET/PHONE
We use the Internet extensively for educational purposes. Any student who views or downloads inappropriate sites will lose all iPad privileges until a parent conference is held. We do not allow students to use the phone unless it is an emergency. Please have your child make all after-school arrangements before coming to school.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteers are cherished at Randolph Heights. They have a huge impact on our school community. There are many opportunities to volunteer, including in the library, classroom, book club, tutoring, field trips, PTA evening events, and teaching enrichment classes. All volunteers will need a background check completed with SPPS before volunteering at school. Volunteers will need to complete a form as well as send a check for $12 made out to RHS. Background checks are good for one calendar year. Please allow at least two weeks for the background check before you plan to begin volunteering.
VISITORS
Visitors are always welcome at Randolph Heights. Visitors should enter through the Hamline Avenue entrance. Upon entering the building, all visitors must sign in at the office and wear a visitor’s badge while in the building.
WALKERS
Walkers should walk to school in their designated school patrol lines and obey all of the school rules while doing so. All walkers are expected to walk home in the patrol lines. Walkers are not allowed to stay after school, as there is no adult supervision after school hours. Please contact Ian Keith at ian.keith@spps.org with any questions or concerns.
WEAPON POLICY
Possession of any weapon will result in disciplinary action in accordance with the rights and responsibilities handbook. “Weapon” means any firearm, whether loaded or unloaded, toy gun, or replica of a gun, pictures of guns, bullets, a knife of any kind, firecrackers and poppers, or any device designed as a weapon and capable of producing death or bodily harm, or any other device or instrument which, in the manner it is used or intended to be used, is likely to produce bodily harm.
WEBSITES
Randolph Heights: www.spps.org/randolph
Randolph Heights PTA website: http://www.rhs-pta.org
SPPS Transportation: http://transportation.spps.org
Saint Paul Public Schools: http://www.spps.org
Minnesota Department of Education: http://education.state.mn.us