Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School

RLS Handbook

MISSION:  Why do we exist?

Our mission is to ensure that all students learn at grade level or higher.

VISION:  What must our school become to accomplish our purpose?

Our school will become a high-functioning professional learning community by focusing on learning, building a collaborative culture with a collective responsibility and having a results orientation.

VALUES:  How must we behave to achieve our vision?

Members of our faculty and staff will:

• Value and provide authentic learning experiences that introduce and sustain college and career awareness, skills and agency
• Continuously invest in working collaboratively on the four questions aligned with student learning
• Create a guaranteed and viable curriculum
• Utilize frequent formative assessments to monitor student learning of essential knowledge and skills and to inform instruction
• Use the results of common assessments to identify students in need of additional learning support and extension
• Provide a systematic process for intervention and extension embedded into the contractual workday

2025 - 2026 GOALS:  How will we mark our progress?

• By the end of the school year, PLTs are using approximately 25% of their meeting time to share data from FAs and approximately 75% of their meeting time with a collaborative focus on best first instruction, intervention and extension
• Eighty-five percent of teachers will host each of the three main Access options each trimester
• PLTs will document discussion of the four questions in their weekly agendas and collectively review and respond to the data

To protect the rights of all students and their teachers, the State of California, the Board of Trustees, the Saint Helena Unified School District (SHUSD), and Robert Louis Stevenson (RLS) have teamed together to establish clear expectations for student behavior. Sometimes students do not follow the rules and regulations established, or behave in a manner which disrupts the educational process. When this behavior denies their right or the rights of other students to an education in a safe, orderly, environment, disciplinary action is taken. The consequences for violating behavior expectations are intended to discourage students from making poor behavior choices. The Robert Louis Stevenson staff is committed to assisting students in understanding the behavior expectations and appropriate behavior. 

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES: California State Education Code 48908 states all pupils shall comply with the regulations, pursue the required course of study, and submit to the authority of the teachers of the schools. 

In compliance with Board Policy and California Education code, the expectations and rules that follow are based upon the 5 RLS core values of:

• Self Control  –  Do the thing I need to do, even when I don’t want to do them.
• Perserverance – Keep trying, even when it’s hard.Always do my best.
• Respect – Be kind to myself and others in all I think, do and say.
• Empathy – Understand and respect the feelings of others.
• Integrity – Do the right thing even when no one else is watching. Wrong is wrong even if others are doing it.

The student’s responsibility: is to be on time to each class every day.  They may utilize the passing time to use the restroom, say a quick hello to friends and travel to the next class. Students will also understand that their tardiness has negative implications for the rest of the class.

The teacher’s responsibility is to create a welcoming environment, greet students at the door or upon entering and assist in planning a quick, safe route between classes if necessary. 

The parent(s)’ responsibility is to review this policy with their child as necessary.Additionally, parents serve a crucial role at this age in helping prepare their student in the morning and travel to school or to the bus so that the student can be on time, ready to learn.  

Together, we can ensure a safe, educational environment for all students. 

Student success is directly related to attendance, being on time and being actively engaged in learning. For this reason, RLS expects students to be in class and ready to learn when the bell rings. 

On-Time Policy

It is expected that students will arrive to all classes on time.  The “On-Time Policy” is as follows:

• A student who arrives late to any class is tardy. Late is generally defined as entering the class after the tardy bell has rung. 
• Late students come directly to the office and will be processed after morning wellness and the Pledge of Allegiance. 
• Parents/Guardians have 72 hours or 3 school days to clear an absence or tardy. 
• Repeated unexcused tardies will result in progressive disciplinary action as outlined below.

Absences are excused for health reasons, family emergencies, and allowable personal reasons (juvenile detention, court appearance, funeral service, religious holiday or employment interview). If school is missed as a result of an excused absence, the student will be allowed to make up the school work for full credit within a reasonable time. Makeup work and tests may be reasonably equivalent to, but not necessarily identical to, the academic content missed. 

Please note:  per California Ed Code and SHUSD Board Policy, after the 3rd consecutive absence due to illness the absence will have to be verified by a note from a physician, the school nurse or an administrator.  

Unexcused absences include, but are not limited to, oversleeping, car trouble, a late ride, cutting class/school, unverified absences, and family vacations. Please note that unverified absences, including for personal reasons, are not excusable absences. There is no requirement for a teacher to give credit when the absence is unexcused. Students are responsible for knowing when they have been marked absent in class. If it is felt an absence was marked in error, see the Attendance Specialist.

Three unexcused absences will generally result in the onset of the truancy process with a Truancy Letter. If unexcused absences continue, a second truancy letter will be issued, the parent will be required to attend a School Attendance Review Team(SART) meeting with the principal and relevant personnel. If absences persist, a third truancy letter will be issued, and a School Attendance Review Board(SARB) referral will be made to the SHUSD district SARB chair, Mr. Greg Fetters.  

Consistent with SHHS policies and procedures, students must attend all classes in order to participate in any activity that day or the Friday before a weekend event/activity/sport etc, with the exceptions being made for pre-scheduled medical appointments or court appearances only. If a student is absent via an unexcused absence on the day of or the Friday before an activity, the student is not allowed to participate in said event.

Taries

5 total:

• Letter to parents/Guardian
• Aeries Attendance Notes 
• ** May include detention 

10 total:

• Letter to parents/Guardian
• Aeries Attendance Notes 
• Tardy Intervention Meeting (TIM) meeting with family and student
• ** May include detention / Saturday School 

>10 total:

• Letter to parents/Guardian
• Aeries Attendance Notes 
• Tardy Intervention Meeting (TIM) meeting with family and student
• May include Saturday School 

Each 5 more:

• Letter to parents/Guardian
• Saturday School
• Aeries Attendance Notes

When a student serves a consequence as an outcome of their Tardies, their count will start over.

Parents/Guardians may excuse absences with either a note or by calling the Attendance Office at 707-299-7549 707-299-7549 (Español).  Parents/Guardians have hours or 3 days to clear an absence or tardy. The note or phone call must state the specific date and/or periods missed to be excused and the reason for the absence. Absences should be cleared on the day that class is missed. If a student becomes sick during school or needs to leave for any reason, he/she must sign out through the Attendance Office. A phone call or note is required. If a student leaves campus with an off-campus pass and returns the same day, first stop in the Attendance Office to time-stamp a pass for admission or readmission to class. Phone calls, messages, and notes received in the Attendance Office are logged and retained. 

If you have a planned absence coming up in which traditional non-school days are unavoidable, please speak with Ms. Lorena to see if you are eligible for the planned absence process. 

The school has the responsibility and authority to issue disciplinary consequences to students who violate behavioral expectations while on their way to school, at school, during lunch, at all school activities on campus and away, and at any time on school or district property. 

Permission to Use Internet/Responsible Use Policy: 

To obtain Internet access at school, students must have a completed Network/Internet Use Form on file and must follow the District’s Acceptable Use Policy. If violated, students may have their privileges suspended or revoked and may be subject to other discipline, including possible civil or criminal action if appropriate. This agreement must be signed by both the student and the parent/guardian. The reverse side of the contract has a separate form to indicate if the parent/guardian gives permission for the school to use samples of the student’s schoolwork and/or picture on our website. 

In order to comply fully with the federal Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), the SHUSD uses various filtering and monitoring devices and techniques. However, despite SHUSD use of monitoring software to view students screens and searches as well as identify alarming entries, no system is 100% secure and SHUSD cannot guarantee the appropriateness of all materials that may be accessed on the Internet. Students who do not adhere to the SHUSD’s rules may be able to locate inappropriate material. Although teachers will review the information in this policy with students, parents should also spend a few minutes reviewing it with their students, as many of the rules apply to home computer usage as well. Before students are allowed to use a computer or other device, a signed Responsible Use Agreement and Contract must be on file. 

Cell phones and Smart Devices:

RLS discourages the use of cell phones and related devices (i.e. Smart Watches) on campus. If a student must bring these to school for a personal need related to their family i.e. transportation, they must be turned off and placed in their backpack during the instructional day defined as “bell to bell”.  If a student’s phone or smart device are seen on their person or in use during the instructional day, it will be confiscated immediately and the parent or guardian will have to physically come and retrieve the items at their earliest convenience. Continued failed compliance will result in the requirement to submit your devices to the main office each morning and retrieve them after school. The school and district are not responsible for lost or stolen items if lost on campus or during school time. 

Social Media:

RLS discourages the use of social media for youth this age. If a student posts something that has a proven negative impact to students on campus, progressive discipline may apply.  A good practice before posting to social media is to THINK - is it True, is it Helpful, is it Inspiring, is it Necessary, and is it Kind.

Searching and Questioning Students: 

School officials have the right to speak with students who may have information related to a breach of school rules, district policy, or law. School officials also have the right to open and inspect a student’s possessions when they have reasonable suspicion that the search will disclose evidence of illegal possessions or activity or that the student is violating the law or school/district rules.. Search includes review of digital devices, such as phones, iPads, or computers. SHUSD shall notify parents/guardians when a student has been subjected to a search as soon as possible after the search. Law enforcement officers have the right to interview and question students on school premises. If the officer needs to interview or question the student immediately, the principal or designee shall accommodate the process in a way that causes the least possible disruption to the school, gives the student privacy, and models exemplary cooperation with community law enforcement.

Visitors on Campus:  

ALL visitors to campus must have valid identification and check in at the main office to obtain a visitor’s pass. Visitors must be on campus for school business; drop-in visits are not permitted.

Dress Code:

RLS respects students’ rights to express themselves in the way they dress. This gender-neutral policy is intended to provide guidance for students, staff, and parents.

• Shoes must be worn at all times. Students must wear appropriate athletic shoes for PE.
• Gang-related apparel is prohibited.
• Clothing, jewelry, and personal items shall be free from images or language which create a hostile or intimidating environment, including hate speech, pornography, profanity, any depiction of drugs, alcohol, or weapons and any display of prejudice based on race, ethnicity, religion, or gender.
• Hats, caps, hoods, and other head coverings shall not be worn indoors.
• Shorts must have at least a 4” inseam and any holes/rips/tears must also be below the 4” inseam. Underwear must not be visible (visible waistbands or straps on undergarments worn under other clothing are not a violation).

RLS Discipline

Counselor: works with students regarding academics, social and emotional needs. Parents and students can reach out for support in the office, email or phone. 

Campus supervisor: Provides tier I discipline support and facilitation in addition to parent communication as needed. Functional member of the site's Multi Tiered Systems of Support along with a valued resource and confident for all students. 

School based therapy through UpValley: Therapy is provided to students who need support, it is provided once per week for around 20-30 minutes.

Aldea: Provides prevention and treatment for alcohol and drug abuse to students interested in their services. Aldea is an organization through Napa that works with the district. 

Claro y Clara: Group meets weekly and provides activities that help support students wellbeing, school engagement, and removes barriers to higher education or career goals. UpValley provides RLS with the staff  to run these groups. 

Restorative Circles: A space where students can meet to discuss conflict with the support of an adult. UpValley provides RLS with somebody trained to support the school with circles. 

WhyTry Groups: A selected group of students meet weekly to learn life skills through the WhyTry curriculum. UpValley supports RLS with somebody trained to teach students this curriculum.  

Care Solace: Counselor can refer to Care Solace when families are in need of mental health support. Care Solace works directly with the parents to connect them to mental health therapists.

Safe School Ambassadors: The Safe School Ambassadors® Program (SSA) is our evidence-based program that harnesses the power of students to prevent and stop bullying and mistreatment. It is considered a social-emotional learning program (SEL) and has been implemented at RLS for many years. .

How a student accesses our support providers:

If a student is in need of more intensive therapy, outside therapy is recommended. Counselor can support families by connecting with outside agencies. Connect with a school counselor if you are interested in school based therapy.