Student Handbook

Your child’s schedule contains six classes, four of which are considered core classes. These classes consist of math, language arts, science and social studies. Core teachers work together as a team to ensure that your child’s academic, social and emotional, and behavioral needs are met. Each core meets to discuss student concerns. It is important that you contact a core teacher or counselor immediately if you have concerns about your child’s academic performance or school engagement in order to establish appropriate, timely interventions for your child to be successful.

In order to provide a clearer understanding of where each student is on his or her learning trajectory, educators from across the district worked with content coordinators using the Common Core State Standards to develop the following Gradebook Reporting Criteria (GRCs). These grade reporting criteria help break down an overall course grade into specific aspects of study, so that educators, students, and parents can know where a student is doing well and in what areas he or she may need to focus more attention. For each course, students will be evaluated on the following GRCs.

All assignments/assessments that are entered into Infinite Campus must be scored using a rubric with four scoring criteria. The lowest score a student may receive for a completed assignment/assessment is 50%. All rubrics will be scored using a 10-point scale. For end-of-the-unit assessments, teachers may use a multiplier of 5 to increase the weight of an assessment. Scoring needs to be consistent within grade level common course teams at each school. 

Listed below is a sample rubric:

• No extra credit will be allowed. 
• Non-academic factors (eg., participation, effort, behavior, etc) will not be factored into the grading system. 
• All other District grading policies including, but not limited to, absences, awarding incomplete grades, and parent communication will be followed. 
   

Throughout the school year, assemblies are scheduled for the student body. Students will be advised by way of the school announcements of scheduled assemblies. Although we want all students at assemblies, there are situations which would exclude students from attending (especially previous poor assembly behavior).

Student Attendance

Absences must be reported on the school’s attendance line, even if the student’s teacher(s) have been informed of the absence. The school’s attendance line may be called at any time to report an absence or tardy. Attendance is taken at the beginning of each class period.

District Policy 5020 provides specific guidelines regarding student attendance. 

It is important that your child attends class daily unless there is an illness or injury. If you know in advance that your student will be out of school, please call our attendance line. Parents or guardians will be contacted by the school if a student is not reported in advance so that we may account for their absence. 

When a student must be absent, it is their responsibility to check Schoology and other online resources to determine which activities and assignments they missed for each class. If your child must be absent more than 3 consecutive days, please contact the grade level counselor, as they can support students in creating a plan for staying on track academically. When an absence is excused, students shall be given a period of at least the same number of days they were absent, plus one additional day, to make up missed assignments and assessments. This make-up period begins the next school day following the absence. For student work to support learning and serve as an opportunity to show what students have mastered, assignments must be submitted in a timely manner. It is also our goal to teach students the importance of effective time management when meeting deadlines. This may mean that your child attends one or more teacher-facilitated help sessions outside of class.

If students are occasionally tardy, the teacher and/or school will impose a consequence. If tardiness becomes habitual, the issue will be addressed by an administrator. 
<See RTMS tardy information below>
 

Early Departure/Late Arrival

We request that you do not pick up your students early unless it is absolutely necessary. Students who arrive late to school must check in at the office. 

Though students are involved in instruction from 8:40 AM to 3:50 PM, we understand there are occasionally urgent reasons to leave school early. Students who leave school during regular school hours must be signed out by a parent or legal guardian through the office. A student will not be dismissed from their classroom until someone has arrived at the school to sign them out. In the event that it is necessary to release a student from school at times other than normal dismissal hours, students may be released- at the school’s discretion- to a parent/guardian or other responsible person or allowed to be released on their own in accordance with District Policy.

Students will ONLY be released to parent(s) or legal guardian(s) between 8:40 AM and 3:50 PM. If your child must be picked up before the end of the school day by someone other than a parent or guardian, you MUST contact the school in advance. 

Tardy Information

Consistent and punctual daily attendance is crucial for academic success. As per Superintendent Policy 5020.7.1, a tardy is defined as the student entering or departing a class within 10 minutes of the scheduled start or end time. A report is pulled every Monday. The office monitors tardies. When a student has three or more tardies, consequences will be issued. A tardy plan will be issued for excessive tardies.

If attendance does not improve, the following consequences may be used:
1st warning - Loss of Minga passes and parent called
2nd warning - Escorts to class and parent called
3rd warning - In-school or out-of-school suspension and parent called

Please remember that lunch detention is no longer an option. Your student must serve their detention after school.
 

Students are encouraged to use backpacks or other tote bags to transport books and other supplies to and from Rocky Top Middle School each day.

However, all backpacks, drawstring bags, messenger bags, duffle bags, and tote bags must be stored in lockers during the school day.Students may visit their lockers at various times throughout the school day to drop off books and pick up items required for upcoming classes. Students may carry a small purse, fanny pack, or satchel measuring no more than 6” x 6” for personal items and necessities. Because personal items are stored in lockers, students may NOT share lockers. 

In order to ensure a positive and safe learning environment that helps facilitate self-discipline, encourage academic success and promote school wellness, school staff will enforce District policies and school rules related to expected student behavior. Consequences will be administered by staff in those circumstances where a student exhibits behavior contrary to these policies/rules. Each teacher/staff member will have a set of specific guidelines of acceptable behavior, in addition to the school rules and District policies. 

The summary of Student Code of Conduct includes information such as:

• student conduct
• student attendance
• cell phones and personal technology devices
• District technology and Internet usage
• student dress code
• bullying and harassment

Restorative Practices

At Rocky Top, when a student violates the Student Code of Conduct, we prefer to address discipline in accordance with the tenets of Restorative Practices. We use these strategies to:

• Build healthy relationships between and among staff and students
• Reduce, prevent, and improve harmful behavior
• Repair harm and restore positive relationships
• Resolve conflict while holding groups and individuals accountable
• Address and discuss the needs of the school community
   

In-School Suspension 

For certain infractions, a student may be assigned to in-school suspension (ISS) instead of being assigned out-of-school suspension. In this case, the student will be expected to complete all assignments that are provided by teachers. Students assigned to ISS may not attend nor take part in any extracurricular or after school activities on days of suspension, unless special arrangements are made.

Displays of Affection

Students are not permitted to express affection through holding hands, kissing, inappropriate embracing, or walking in the halls with arms around each other’s waist or shoulders.

Rocky Top has limited indoor storage for skateboards and scooters. If the rack located inside the main entrance is full, students must store their scooters/skateboards in their lockers or outside. There is another storage rack specifically designed for scooters and skateboards on the east side of the building near the bike racks. Students are required to lock up their bikes, scooters, and skateboards. Rocky Top is not responsible for bikes, scooters, or skateboards that are stolen or damaged. 

To maintain a safe environment for all students during the busy arrival and dismissal windows:

• Dismount Immediately: All wheels must be "down" the moment a student touches school property.
• Walk Your Wheels: Motorized devices must be walked to the designated racks.
• Consequences: As previously stated, students who ride on campus or operate vehicles in violation of the Thornton City Code may lose the privilege of bringing the device to campus and may be subject to citations from the Thornton Police Department.

We encourage you to review the full details and vehicle classifications on the Thornton PD website to ensure your student’s vehicle is street-legal and age-appropriate.

All textbooks are provided by the school. Lost or damaged books must be paid for by the student before another book will be issued. If a lost book has been paid for and then found, the student will be given a refund. School equipment damaged by a student because of carelessness will be paid for at the time it occurs.

Though students will participate in an orientation to the cafeteria at the start of the year, this list highlights basic rules they are expected to follow while in the cafeteria or when enjoying time outside after eating.

• Students must put all books and backpacks away in their locker and get any necessary items (hat, coat, sunscreen, sack lunch, water bottle, balls, etc.) prior to entering the cafeteria. Students are not permitted to leave the cafeteria during their designated lunch time.
• All food must be eaten in the lunchroom unless otherwise approved. No food or drink, other than a student’s own reusable water bottle, may be taken outside.
• Students are expected to leave the table and the surrounding area clean before going outside. This includes sweeping the floor and wiping the table. Students will only be dismissed by a staff member once the area is sufficiently clean.
• Students must follow instructions for compost, recycling, and landfill disposal.
• If a student is assigned lunch detention or has made arrangements to participate in a help session during lunch, they must have a pass from the teacher to leave the lunchroom.
• Should a student cause a disturbance in the cafeteria or be found in the halls without a required pass, the student may be put on a clean-up work crew or some other similar activity. Constant misconduct may result in the loss of the privilege of using the cafeteria. 

The district’s policy on student cell phones and other personal technology devices (PTDs) is as follows:

• PTDs must be in the “off” or “silent” position and stored out of sight at all times during the school day, including lunch and recess.
• In non-academic settings outside the school day, including before or after school activities or on school transportation, PTDs may be used in “silent mode” provided the use of the PTD, as determined by the supervising staff member or bus driver, in no way disrupts, poses a safety concern or otherwise violates the District’s Student Code of Conduct.
• Students with an IEP/504 plan/health care plan are permitted to have access to their cell phone or other PTD in accordance with their plan.

District Policy 5030 defines the term “Personal Technology Devices” to include any privately-owned portable technology device, including but not limited to cell phones and wearable technology such as smart watches, smart glasses, wireless earbuds, and wireless headphones.

The school is not responsible for any lost, stolen or destroyed PTDs on school property or at a school-sponsored activity away from campus. School administration, teachers, or staff will not investigate incidents.

Students who violate the district’s policy on student use of cell phones and other personal technology devices may be disciplined in accordance with District Policy.

Our goal is for students to be responsible digital citizens with their personal electronic devices (PEDs). This means understanding and working within the school's expectations regarding the use and allowance of electronic devices on school property or at school-sponsored activities.  

We ask all students to adhere to the following school expectations.

•  All teachers and staff have the authority to collect electronic devices from any student immediately upon request.  
• Electronic devices may be used during morning entry before storing the device and exiting the building after the last period. No cell phones during lunch. Cell Phones should not be visible during school hours.
• Students not feeling well should report to the nurse’s office and call parents if needed, not from a personal electronic device.  
• Parents/guardians needing to communicate with a student should contact the main office.  
• Students can only use wired earbuds/headphones with their Chromebooks. Wired earbuds/headphones can be purchased in the main office for $1.  
• Students with a 504 plan/health care plan are permitted access to their cell phones following their plan. 
• Smart watches are allowed at this point - if necessary, we may prohibit them.  

Rocky Top Middle School is not responsible for lost, stolen, or destroyed personal electronic devices on district property or at a school-sponsored activity away from campus. School administration, teachers, or staff will not investigate incidents. 

1st Offense: The Phone (or personal electronic device) is confiscated, brought to the office, and returned to the student at the end of the day. Office staff will document this in PLP. The administration may contact the parent/guardian to advise them of any policy violation.

2nd Offense: The Phone (or personal electronic device) is confiscated and brought to the office. The admin contacts the parent or guardian to arrange for the device to be picked up at the end of the day. The admin will document this in PLP.

3rd Offense: The Phone (or personal electronic device) is confiscated and brought to the office. The admin contacts the parent/guardian to pick up the device at the end of the day. Parents/guardians are advised that the student must either leave the phone at home (regardless of whether the offense is for the phone or earbuds) or check the phone in/out of the office each day. The admin will document this in PLP.

4th Offense: The phone (or personal electronic device) is confiscated and brought to the office. Admin contacts the parent/guardian to arrange device pickup at the end of the day. The parent/guardian is advised that the student must check the phone (regardless of whether the offense is for the phone or earbuds) in/out of the office each day. Students will be called to the office at the start of the day if the phone still needs to be turned in. The parent/guardian is advised that any further offense involving a phone or earbuds will be considered defiance and will be officially written up, with additional consequences. Admin will document in PLP.

5th Offense: Student receives an official write-up and consequences for defiance.
 

Connect with your school and teachers.

The free Adams 12 Five Star Schools mobile app makes it easier than ever to stay connected with your school community. Get the latest school and district news, event updates, student highlights, and important alerts—all in one place. Learn more.

Download the app:

Rocky Top Communication

Rocky Top’s school newsletter, News From the Top, is emailed weekly to remind parents of important dates and events. Please be sure to keep your email address updated through Infinite Campus, so you receive these important messages.

Responses to parent phone calls or emails will be made within one business day. If you send an email to a staff member and do not receive a response within 24 hours, please call to ensure they received your message.
Students are not allowed to use cell phones to call or text during school hours. Multiple infractions could result in disciplinary action. 
Although teachers have telephones located in their classrooms, they have been directed to keep their ringer turned off during instructional time. If you want to reach your child’s teacher, you may do the following:

• Call the classroom teacher and leave a voicemail. Teachers have been asked to check voicemail before and after school, and during their lunch break.
• You may call the office, and they will deliver messages to your student’s teacher at the end of the day.
• You may call the classroom teacher before or after school.

You may also reach your child’s teacher via email. Please expect to hear back from teachers via phone call or email within one business day.
 

Students are not allowed to express affection through holding hands, kissing, inappropriate embracing or walking in the halls with arms around each other’s waist or shoulders.

Rocky Top Middle School utilizes a state-of-the-art security and camera system throughout the building. In addition to our building-based Crisis Response Team, our staff includes an experienced School Resource Officer on special assignment from the Thornton Police Department. If you or your child has information that is important to the safety of our students or school, please contact a school or district representative immediately or notify Safe2Tell.

Students will ONLY be released to parent(s) or legal guardian(s) between the hours of 8:40 AM and 3:50 PM. If your child must be picked up before the end of the school day by someone other than a parent or guardian, you MUST contact the school in advance. In the event that it is necessary to release a student from school at times other than normal dismissal hours, students may be released, at the school’s discretion, to a parent/guardian or other responsible person or allowed to be released on their own in accordance with District Policy.
 

Parent and family involvement are critical to the success of our students and our school. Families can be involved and engaged by reviewing their child’s daily work, discussing upcoming assessments and assignments, and monitoring achievement data through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Rocky Top has an active PTO, but families can also be involved in our School Accountability Committee, where you will hear updates on our major improvement strategies. We also encourage families to volunteer in support of schoolwide activities and events or as classroom speakers. If you are looking for ways to become more involved and engaged, please reach out to the main office. 
 

Field trips to nearby points of interest may be scheduled by various classroom teachers throughout the school year. These trips are designed to supplement different aspects of the classroom curriculum and to introduce students to resources within the community. Parents will receive notice of scheduled field trips well in advance.

Parents must sign a permission form for all field trips. Students without a permission slip will not be allowed to accompany their class on the field trip.

Free and Reduced Benefits help families and their schools.

Here's How:

• Boosts School Funding: Schools receive additional funding from the state to enhance the educational experience for all students. Your child's school can receive more than $1,100 per qualifying student, directly enhancing the educational experience for all.

• Reduces School Fees: Families can receive 50% off select fees or not have to pay them at all. These include athletic fees, course fees, and activity and field trip fees tied to the curriculum. See the Fees Schedule
• Supports High Schoolers: High school students can receive discounts and/or tuition-relief when preparing for their future; which may include course fees, post-graduation planning, scholarships, state and national testing (including SAT, ACT, AP and IB), and post-secondary enrollment.

• Access to Community Resources: Families can qualify for additional resources, such as medical, food and cash assistance, and discounted services like internet

Families must reapply for free and reduced benefits every new school year.

Learn more & apply today!

The primary purpose of the grading system is to clearly, accurately and consistently communicate learning progress and achievement to students, families, staff and postsecondary institutions. In accordance with District Policy, our school reports student progress using letter grades with the following numerical scale:

A  89.5 – 100%

B  79.5 – 89%

C  69.5 – 79%

D  59.5 – 69%

F  Below 59.5%

Each class grade will consist of 80% Summative Assessments and 20% of Formative Assessments. Summative Assessments consist of tests, reports, projects, etc., while Formative Assessments consist of class work, homework, etc. The lowest grade a student can receive for attempting the assignment is a 50%. 0’s will not be given. All unsubmitted assignments may initially reflect a grade of missing in the Infinite Campus Gradebook. At the end of the grading period, if still unsubmitted, the grade will reflect 50%. Please don’t hesitate to inquire how grades for your child were determined if you are unsure. 

Student grades can be accessed through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal at any time. 

If a teacher feels it is necessary for a student to leave class, the student must have a hall pass created through our modular platform, Minga. Rocky Top will only use the Minga “Digital Student IDs” and “Digital Hall Pass” features, which allow students to log in and create a digital hall pass anytime they need to leave the classroom. 

Your student will review the following tutorial on using Minga for their hall passes: Student Presentation. For more parent information, please see the attached family guide. Please be aware that the family guide includes information about the entire platform, but we are only using “Digital Student IDs” and “Digital Hall Pass”. The rest of the information will not be relevant as we will not be using those components.   

English Family Guide
Spanish Family Guide

Students in the halls during class time without a pass will be sent back to the classroom. Students must use the restrooms and drinking fountains during passing periods and must not expect to use class time for these purposes.
 

Homework should be used for practicing of skills learned in class or preparing for the next class, not of teaching of new material or as motivation. Therefore, while homework is not calculated in the final grade, it is critical in helping teachers drive their instruction and identify student weaknesses. This could be compared to sports in that practice (homework) prepares the athlete for the game, but does not count toward the final outcome of the game. Homework is any assignment given by the teacher that is required to be completed outside of class. Homework is not an assignment that is done in the classroom. Homework is in addition to class work. 

At Rocky Top, homework will not be assigned on Fridays. The only exception to this would be a long-term project or assignment that could be due on a Monday. Students may receive homework on Wednesdays, which represents a shift from past practice. 

Late or Missing Work and Assessment ‘Retakes’

Whenever possible and practical, students are provided multiple opportunities to demonstrate their current level of understanding and mastery of standards. Multiple opportunities may mean retaking a summative assessment in which the student has not demonstrated proficiency. However, it may also mean that a particular concept can be reassessed later in the unit or another unit as part of a spiraling learning process without the actual retaking of an assessment.

Retakes

Students are eligible for a retake on most assessments*, provided they meet the following requirements.

1. The student participates in a form of reteaching and relearning decided upon with the teacher. This will likely occur outside of the regular classroom time.
2. The student has completed all required and associated formative coursework leading up to the assessment.
3. The student has not demonstrated understanding at a proficient level (8.5 or higher).
    

Indoor recess will be called if:

• snow, rain or sleet is falling
• temperature with the wind chill is 20 degrees or less
• playground conditions are poor (mud, snow or standing water)

Students must be prepared for all types of weather. They should bring warm coats, gloves or mittens, hats, weatherproof footwear and an extra pair of shoes for PE.

Rocky Top Middle School is proud to offer a wide variety of physical and intellectual activities to ensure your student has a well-rounded middle school experience. Students who participate in co-curricular activities have a stronger sense of belonging at school and typically perform at a higher level academically. Because of this, we encourage every student to participate in at least one activity outside of the regular classroom. These activities occur before or after school and may require parents to sign permission forms or provide transportation to and from the activity. For safety and supervision reasons, it is important that students arrive and are picked up promptly at prescribed times. A Clubs & Activities Fair is held annually during the third week of school so that students can learn about offerings from sponsors and fellow students. To investigate our current offerings or contact club sponsors, please click on the link below. 

Explore our clubs & activities 

Whenever possible/practical, students should be given multiple opportunities to demonstrate their current level of understanding and mastery of standards. Multiple opportunities may mean the retaking of a summative assessment on which the student has not demonstrated proficiency. However, it may also mean that a particular concept can be reassessed later in the unit or another unit as part of a spiraling learning process without the actual retaking of an assessment. 

Retakes

Students are eligible for a retake on most assessments*, provided they meet the following: 

1. The student participates in a form of relearning decided upon by the teacher. Additional learning may be required of the student, as well as possible additional instruction from the teacher. 
2. The student has completed all required and associated formative coursework.
3. The student has not demonstrated understanding at a proficient level (3 or higher). 

*Students will not be allowed to “redo” or “retake” a summative assessment such as products, projects, extended writing assessments, etc. that have periodic formative checkpoints leading to the summative assessment. 

Students must complete retakes no later than two weeks following the receipt of summative assessment results and/or within two weeks of unit completion. The score on a retake will not replace the original score; however, it will be used as another piece of data when analyzing the body of evidence before assigning an overall mark on the report card. 

Lockers are the property of the District. The school may search student lockers on a periodic basis to protect the health, safety, and welfare of all students. Lockers are supplied to students free of charge to store books, coats, backpacks/bags, school supplies and school related items. 

Students may decorate their lockers with appropriate pictures, mirrors, shelves, magnets, etc., as long as such items can be easily removed without permanent damage to the locker. Writing in or on the locker is not permitted. All pictures and posters hung in lockers must meet District standards. Students having troubles with lockers should report problems to the school registrar before or after school. 

It is suggested that you do not keep valuable items in your locker. Your combination should not be shared and should remain private. Moving to another locker without permission of the registrar is prohibited and will result in assignment of consequences. Private locks are prohibited, unless approval is given by school administration, and will be cut off the locker. The school is not responsible for items contained in lockers. Items found in lockers not assigned to students will be discarded.

Students may NOT share lockers.  
 

If your child misplaces an item, we encourage you to look in the lost and found by the main office. Often it is difficult to identify what they have lost. Please label coats, jackets, mittens, etc.

Remaining articles are donated to a local charity several times a year.

We highly discourage students from bringing valuables and toys to school. Items having value for one individual usually have an attractive appeal for others and unfortunately sometimes disappear. The school cannot be responsible for these items. Teachers may have a special celebration which allows students to bring in a favorite game, stuffed animal, etc. but please remember, at no time is it appropriate for students to bring toy guns, toy knives, or toy weapons of any kind.

Our counselors collaborate with the school psychologist, social worker, special education department, content area teachers, elective teachers, and administrators to meet the academic, personal/social, and career needs of every student. This team also coordinates the design and implementation of interventions for students as part of our school’s Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) process. The counselors also push into classrooms to deliver universal lessons related to School Links and social-emotional competencies. We encourage parents and students to use the resources provided on the Counseling Department webpage to build their social-emotional skills. There, students may also access the counseling office request form to let their assigned counselor know they’d like to connect. Additionally, counselors strive to meet with every single Rocky Top Grizzly at least once per year. 

Updates to the District’s policies are listed here. 
These updates may include information concerning:

• non-discrimination (including Title IX)
• rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
• directory information under FERPA
• rights under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA)
• other opt-out provisions
   

All students enrolled in Adams 12 Five Star Schools can receive a FREE breakfast and lunch. Additional items such as snacks, beverages, and extra servings of our healthy entrée and side items are available for purchase a la carte.

Access menus and/or add funds for a la carte items:

SchoolCafe Family Hub

For more information about dietary needs, wellness policy and more, visit Nutrition Services.

In an effort to keep our school feeling safe for all students and families and in accordance with District Policy 1220, only service animals and therapy dogs are permitted on school property. District policy requires prior authorization from the principal to have a therapy dog on school property. We ask that all other pets remain off school grounds during school hours. We appreciate your cooperation with this request.

Though you can log into the Infinite Campus Parent Portal to monitor daily progress, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in individual academic and behavioral conferences at least twice each year. Grade reports are available at the conclusion of each quarter and semester through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Paper report cards will be mailed home at the end of each school year. Academic progress can also be found via the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.

In our ongoing efforts to provide the safest and most secure environment for our students, an additional security measure has been installed, which requires the following safety measures.

• ALL exterior doors will be locked at all times.
• Please do not open the door or hold the door open for others.
• In order to enter the building, you will need to press the button located [describe location of button for school entry].
• An office member will release the doors, allowing access to the building.
• Once entering the building, ALL visitors must check in at the office, show ID, and obtain a visitor pass.
• If you would like to wait with your child before school or wait for your child after school, you will need to wait outside.

Your child’s safety is of utmost importance to us. It is imperative that students are dropped off no earlier than 8:20 a.m. and picked up at 4:00 p.m. Adult supervision is only available 10 minutes before and five minutes after these times.

Please help us keep students safe:

• Always use sidewalks and crosswalks.
• Drop off and pick up of students is along the curb only, so they don’t have to cross traffic other than at the crosswalk. Hug and Go lanes are located on the North parking lot.
• Avoid picking up or dropping off student in the parking lots.
• Avoid parking within 15 feet of school crosswalks.
• Parents should encourage children to adhere to all safety rules established for pedestrians. This emphasis on safety is also a concern of the school’s staff, and is an important part of the instructional program.
• Students are expected to go directly to and from school. They are to respect the rights and property of all people in the neighborhood.

The northwest parking lot is for student drop-off and pick-up. There are two lanes for drop-off each​ morning. The outside lane runs alongside the sidewalk, and the inside lane runs into the parking lot drop-off area. If you are in the inside lane, DO NOT get out of the car until it has stopped in the parking lot at the designated drop-off area, and then proceed to the crosswalk. Please do not get out early or walk between cars in the outside lane — it is VERY dangerous. If you are in the outside lane, please drive as far as you can until you reach the next car in line or the STOP HERE sign. Once the car is stopped, students may safely exit onto the sidewalk from the passenger side.

Please be aware that there is NO LEFT TURN out of the northwest parking lot on York Street during drop-off and pick-up times.

In the afternoon, students may be picked up in the northwest parking lot or along the outside lane closest to the sidewalk. Students MUST use the crosswalk when entering the parking lot to be picked up. 

​Students may also be picked up or dropped off in the parking lot south of the school, by the baseball fields​ , if the northwest lot is too busy. It is only a short walk up one set of stairs to reach that parking area. When exiting this parking lot, drivers must follow the signal but may turn LEFT onto York Street at any time of day.

The southwest parking lot is for Adams 12 Busses and staff parking ONLY.
Please keep the following traffic safety information in mind when driving near our school.
● Refer to the map above for designated drop-off locations.
● Please do NOT use your cell phone while driving in our parking lots or around our building.
● Watch for children running into the parking lot, particularly from between parked cars.
● Be alert for children at designated school crossings and other crosswalk locations.
● Obey speed limits, especially school zone speed limits during school hours. Take your time!
● Do not stop or park on or near crosswalks or other designated “NO PARKING” zones.
● Do not block school bus loading zones, crosswalks, intersections, or traffic lanes while waiting to pick up your child.
● Respect the “NO PARKING” and “NO STOPPING OR STANDING” signs. They are there to ensure the safety of your children.
● Do not make U-turns in school zones or within crosswalks.
● Consider carpooling to reduce the amount of congestion around the school
 

We are proud of our school and show our pride by taking care of our building. You can add to our pride by keeping classrooms, lockers, halls and restrooms clean. You can help make the school a pleasant place to be by respecting student’s and staff’s personal property. 

Large amounts of money, expensive jewelry or watches, and other valuable possessions should not be brought to school. At no time will the school assume responsibility for valuables. All lost-and-found items (other than clothing) are to be turned in to the school office. Clothing items should be placed in the box in the activity entrance, and any unclaimed items will be regularly donated to a local charity.

Information about student health and wellness, including immunizations, health screenings, and when to keep your child home from school, is available here. 
 

All Rocky Top students are required to carry on their person an unaltered school-issued photo identification card (ID) during school hours or at such times, locations, and activities identified explicitly by the building principal; provided, however, that the building principal shall have the discretion to impose a stricter requirement regarding student wearing of school-issued photo ID cards based upon safety and/or related concerns. The school ID is encouraged to be worn around the neck, outside an individual’s outermost garment. School ID must be available in the building at all times. During school hours or after-hours activities, students are not required to wear their ID visibly but should have it in their possession. If a student has lost their ID, they must report to the main office and fill out a new ID request form. A new ID will be issued within 72 school hours. There is no fee for a replacement ID, lanyard, or plastic sleeve. 

Protecting the health and well-being of all students is of utmost importance to the Adams 12 Five Star School District. District Policy 5520 addresses suicide assessments as a priority to protect all students. 

Adams 12 will treat all threats or attempted suicides as well as signs of NSSI (non-suicidal self-injury) as serious regardless of the degree of lethality involved. When a student threatens or attempts suicide, Adams 12 personnel will follow District Policy and respond accordingly.
The following steps have been taken to help protect all students:

1. Students will learn about recognizing and responding to warning signs of suicide in friends, using coping skills, using support systems, and seeking help for themselves and friends. 
2. When a student is identified as being at risk, they will be assessed by a District mental health professional who will work with the student and help connect the student to appropriate local resources.
3. Students have access to national resources which they can contact for additional support.
   Dial 988 to reach Colorado Crisis Services
   The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
   The Trevor Lifeline – 1.866.488.7386 www.thetrevorproject.org
4. All students are expected to help create a school culture of respect and support in which every student feels comfortable seeking help for themselves or friends. Students are encouraged to tell any staff member if they, or a friend, are feeling suicidal or in need of help.
5. Students should also know that because of the health and safety impacts of these matters, the confidentiality and privacy rights of concerned individuals will be respected but are secondary to seeking help for students in crisis.

District Policy 1200 requires that all parents and visitors must present a drivers license/I.D. at the front desk and sign in at the office upon entering the building. Your license will be scanned through our Raptor system and a visitor’s badge/sticker will be provided. You will be asked to wear a visitor’s badge/sticker at all times.

If you would like to spend time with a teacher, please call and make arrangements prior to visiting. Also, if anyone other than a parent or legal guardian will be visiting the school (such as a grandparent coming for lunch) you must call the office ahead of time to let us know.

In the event of bad weather, Adams 12 Five Star Schools uses a variety of resources to determine if conditions exist that warrant a 1-hour delayed start or closure of schools.

Every effort will be made to announce a decision by 5:30 a.m. to close or delay opening schools. 

Alerts are ONLY sent if schools are closed or operating on a 1-hour delay. If schools are operating on a normal schedule you will not receive an alert.

Learn more about the district’s 1-Hour Delay and School Closure process.