Loyal Heights Elementary

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Family Handbook

Loyal Heights Elementary Family Handbook

Welcome to the Loyal Heights Online Family Handbook. This handbook is intended to help Loyal Heights families find the information that need, for example the bell schedule, technology support, contact information, academics, behavior expectations, student services and more!

Vision

Loyal Heights Elementary Vision 

Loyal Heights is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment that empowers every student to thrive. Our vision is grounded in 4 priority areas:   

  • Equity: We create welcoming and culturally responsive school spaces that ensure a safe, inclusive, and joyful community for all students, especially those historically furthest from educational justice. 
  • Community: We believe that a strong community enriches the educational experience. We actively develop our community in all learning spaces and ensure that Loyal Heights views diversity as an asset.  We welcome and celebrate student identity which includes cultural, neurological, and individual strengths.   
  • Inclusivity: We provide inclusive learning opportunities to meet the diverse needs of all learners through universally accessible teaching methods and materials. Our instructional approach is anchored in the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework.   
  • Differentiation: Recognizing that each learner has unique strengths and challenges, we are committed to offering differentiated instruction. Our instructional approach is anchored in the Multi-Tiered Systems and Supports (MTSS) framework.   

Together, these priority areas form the foundation of our vision, driving us to create an enriching and equitable educational experience for every student in our community.   


Nuts and Bolts

Welcome to our Nuts and Bolts Info! 

Please visit this page often for helpful resource links to both school and district information. 

Volunteering

Seattle Public Schools encourages parents, family members, organizations, businesses, and other community members to volunteer with us!

Loyal Heights owes it’s success in large part to the involvement of parents and community members, who volunteer their time throughout the school year.

For all the details on how and a list of volunteer opportunities, please visit our Volunteers page.

Health & Safety

SPS web page for Safety


Visit our School Nurse page.
Nurse Rebecca Bruck is in the building on Thursdays and Fridays and every other Wednesday.

Academics

Visit our Academic pages for and Academic Overview as well as information about our Advanced Learning, Library, Art and Instructional Music programs.

Student Support

Welcome to our Student Services page.

  • Psychologist
  • 504 Policy
  • AIS Academic Intervention Specialist – Literacy
  • ML Multi Language Learners
  • MTSS – Multi-Tiered Student Supports
  • OT Occupational Therapy
  • Speech Therapy
Behavior Expectations
2024-25 Loyal Heights Schoolwide Agreements for students and families

What to Bring from Home
During recess and lunch times, students are expected to bring appropriate clothing, food from home (if applicable), water bottle, etc. to lunch and recess locations; students will be prompted to take coats, supplies and food to play and eating areas before leaving the classroom each day.  

Rainy Day Attire
Please send students to school wearing proper rain gear including rain jackets and rain boots. Student use of umbrellas on the playground during recess is not permitted. Often umbrellas end up being used as toys or weapons. We are not able to provide changes of clothes for students whose clothes get severely wet at recess. In the event of inclement weather, rainy day recess will be called.

What NOT to Bring from Home
Students are not to bring toys, cards or games from home to school.  Exceptions include: Teacher arranged special events, incentives or programs, or approved sports equipment for recess is allowed if cleared with teacher, shared with all interested peers, and stored away during class time.  Students who bring toys, cards or games will have the items collected by staff and returned to be taken home at the end of the day, followed by a parent call or email.  

Hats in School
Students are allowed to wear hats at school as long as they do not become a distraction. We may ask students to remove hats during assemblies out of respect for the speakers and so students sitting behind them can see the stage.

Personal Technology Devices at School
Considerations for smart phones, smart watches, step counters, etc.:
*Students bring devices to school at their own risk.
*Devices that are capable of calling, taking photos, texting, and playing games/music (phones and smart watches) are not permitted to be used on school grounds during supervised before school line up from 7:35-7:55, and during school hours from 7:55am to 2:25pm.
*Once students step onto school property during the above times, devices must be turned off and kept in their backpacks.
*If a student’s personal device is out, seen, or heard, then they will receive a warning by a staff member to turn it off and put it away. If a student’s personal device is out, seen, or heard a second time, staff will confiscate the device, and the student is responsible to retrieve it at the end of the day.
*Fitbits/pedometers are approved if they don’t have calling, texting, etc. capabilities.
*Devices capable of calling, taking photos, texting, and playing games/music (phones and smart watches) may be permitted if included in an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 plan.

Calling Home
If students need to contact their family, they must first check in with their teacher and may be permitted to go to the office to contact their family. This can include important items forgotten from home. Calls to arrange playdates are not allowed.

SPS iPads and Laptops
All Loyal Heights students agree to the SPS iPad/Laptop Device and Network Use Agreement guidelines. In addition, student electronic devices and ear buds must be stored away and/or smart watches must be put on “school mode” while on school property during the school day. Communication to and with students from families must go through the Main Office.  Violations of this policy will result in collection of device by staff, and call or email to family to arrange pick up of device.  Students with communication or assistive device accommodations in documented support plans could have exemptions to this policy.

Entering the Building
For the safety and security of our school, all adults and students need to use the bell system at the front door to enter. Please do not rush in the door behind a staff member. Once entering the building, all adults and students should proceed to the main office to sign in and get a visitor badge. Visitor badges must be worn so staff can identify adults permitted to be in the building.

Late Arrival
Students arriving late need to sign in at the office and pick up a late slip. This is a safety precaution so we can make sure we know which students are present or absent.

Food/parties
Are allowed in classrooms only if: grade levels are aligned, there is an academic component to the activity, and all students have an opportunity to equally participate (note PTA funds can be utilized by staff to meet this goal).  Birthday celebrations include singing and playing games, but treats are not necessary.  Treats will be given to teachers at morning drop off.  Star of the Week is allowed, with teacher providing materials. Seasonal/holiday celebrations must have an academic connection. For any celebration with costumes, no masks, weapons, or scary costumes are allowed. 

Volunteers
Volunteers need to fill out an SPS application (Link: https://www.seattleschools.org/departments/volunteer/volunteer-application-process/ ) and get approved before chaperoning field trips or regularly volunteering at school. This is typically a three-week process. Volunteers need to check-in at the front office and wear a name badge. Volunteers are not allowed to take photos of children other than their own. Steve Beaulieu in the front office is the contact person for volunteer application processing.

Pets/animals
With the exception of service animals, pets and animals are not allowed on the playground on in the building.
The City of Seattle has set a rule that there are no animals allowed on school premises. Additionally, some children are fearful of dogs, and we ask that you do not tie dogs next to or near school entry and exit gates and doors to the playground and building.

Playground Supervision
Morning: Supervision begins at 7:35am.
End of School: The school gates are open until 3:00pm in the afternoon, but there is no supervision from school staff at that time. The after-school care program will lock the gates at 3:00 so we ask that students and families depart the playground at that time.

Dress Code
Please send students to school in accordance with the SPS Dress Code, which can be found here: https://www.seattleschools.org/about/school-board/policies/3224-student-dress/

Elevator Use
The elevator is for adults and students with special permission. If use of elevator is needed, either check out a card with the main office, or the staff member supporting you may use their key card.

At Loyal Heights we use a variety of methods for our student behavior exceptions including RULER a district based program and STAR a Loyal Heights created program.

RULER

RULER is a district wide systemic approach to social emotional development developed at the Center for Emotional Intelligence. RULER aims to infuse the principles of emotional intelligence into the immune system of pre-K to 12 schools, informing how leaders lead, teachers teach, students learn, and families support students. 
RULER is an approach to social emotional learning (SEL) that teaches emotional intelligence to people of all ages, with the goal of creating a healthier, more equitable, innovative, and compassionate society.

RULER is an acronym for the five skills of emotional intelligence.
R – Recognizing emotions
Using cues to understand what we are feeling and what others are feeling
U – Understanding emotions
Understanding the causes and consequences of an emotion
L – Labeling emotions
Giving emotions a name
E – Expressing emotions
How we show and express our emotions and how we show our emotions in socially appropriate ways
R – Regulating emotions
What we think about or do to feel more or less of an emotion or to keep feeling the same amount of an emotion

The Four RULER Anchor Tools are:
Charter
Mood Meter
Meta-Moment
Blueprint Reflections Pages

Learn more about Meta Moment on the SPS Meta Moment page.

STAR

Are you being a STAR? (Safe, Thoughtful, Accountable, Respectful)

The STAR behaviors are Loyal Heights created school-wide expectations that students and staff can refer to consistently in all areas of the building. The idea is that using the same vocabulary and enforcing a set of consistent, positive, expectations throughout the school will build a positive learning environment, a strong sense of community, resiliency, and accountability.
STAR stands for:

S for Safe, T for Thoughtful, A for Accountable, R for Respectable

What is a Star Buck ?

STAR Bucks are certificates that acknowledge positive student behavior. Like the former Beaver Buck, they will be given to acknowledge STAR behavior. Students will present their STAR Bucks to their homeroom teacher, who will then place a star on the class “Starry Night” poster in their honor. Once each class reaches their star-goal, the class earns a reward! Class rewards range from a Pajama Day, Dance Party, and extra recess.

LH Discipline Policies

Loyal Heights Discipline Philosophy

Loyal Heights believes in a discipline philosophy that is clear and predictable and plans to resolve and change unexpected behaviors. Our approach is a just, equitable, and empathetic learning experience.

Step 1 Behaviors

  • Disobedience
  • Arguing
  • Not producing work
  • Disruptive Behavior
  • Distracting others
  • Interfering with instruction
  • Mocking
  • Name-calling
  • Teasing
  • Yelling
  • Rule-Breaking
  • Blurting
  • Breaking playground, cafeteria, or individual classroom rules
  • Out of seat
  • Running
  • Tantrums

Step 1 Restorative Actions

General: Talk with Adult
General: “Fix It” (apology, clean up, try again)
Classroom: Teacher Based Examples Include:

Calm down 5min. break
Teacher-Created Reflection Sheet
Buddy Classroom

Recess: Examples Include:
“Fix It”
5-Minute Break / Calm-Down Corner
Change Activity
Lunch: Examples Include:
“Fix It”
Temporary Seat Change
Change Activity

Once initial investigation is done staff member may use professional judgment to determine if behavior is handled with the RULER Blueprint   in the classroom or with the Admin Referral in the office or remote.

Step 2 Behaviors

  • Bullying/Intimidation/Harassment
  • Biting/spitting 
  • Pushing 
  • Slapping 
  • Aggressive hand gestures 
  • Middle finger 
  • Defacing Property
  • Graffiti 
  • False Reporting 
  • Forgery/ writing false notes 
  • Lying 
  • Leaving School without Permission 
  • Misuse of Computer/Technology 
  • Cyber bullying 
  • Internet misuse 
  • Taking photo/video without consent 
  • Plagiarism 
  • Cheating 
  • Rule-Breaking 
  • Breaking playground, cafeteria, 
  • or individual classroom rules 
  • Verbal Assault
  • Demeaning verbal acts 
  • Profanity

Step 2 Restorative Actions

Automatic Action: 
RULER Blueprint  to be filled out by student and signed by teacher, student, sent home, signed by parents, and returned to classroom. Classroom teacher keeps RULER Blueprint in file.

Optional Action
General: Talk with adult
General: “Fix it” (apology, clean up, try again)
Classroom: Teacher Based, Calm-Down Corner, Buddy classroom
Recess: Examples Include:
“Fix It”
5-Minute Break / Calm-Down Corner
Change Activity
Lunch: Examples Include:
“Fix It”
Temporary Seat Change
Change Activity

Step 3 Behaviors

  • Assault
  • Causing personal injury/ harm 
  • Fighting 
  • Inappropriate touch 
  • Sexual misconduct 
  • Coercion 
  • Blackmail 
  • Extortion 
  • Forcing one’s ill motives on another 
  • Drug or Alcohol Use, Possession, or Distribution 
  • Controlled substances 
  • Illegal drugs 
  • Over-the-counter drugs 
  • Prescription drugs 
  • Tobacco products 
  • Fire, Arson, False Threats 
  • Gang/Hate Group Activity 
  • Gambling 
  • Hazing 
  • Malicious comments about a person’s identity, race, creed, background, culture, religion, etc.
  • Theft, Burglary, Trespassing 
  • Threats of Violence 
  • Verbal/written (including pictures) 
  • Vandalism, Malicious Property Damage 
  • Weapons 
  • Dangerous weapons 
  • Explosives, fireworks, chemicals, and incendiary devices 
  • Small folding knives 
  • Toys used as weapons 
  • Toy weapons Other Exceptional Misconduct

Step 3 Restorative Actions

Automatic Actions: Admin Referral, parents will be contacted by phone or email by the administration and teacher(s) will be included.
Possible Next Step: 
Assigned Seat on Bus 
Assigned Seat in Lunchroom 
Behavior Contract 
Other Consequence arranged between teacher and admin 
Family conference with administrator and teacher 
In-school or short term (fewer than 10 day) suspension 
MTSS Referral for Behavioral Support (optional) 
State/District Required Incident R

SPS Policies

Refer to the below links to district policies: