Handbook

Royal Intermediate School 2023-2024 Handbook. 

The content found within the Royal Intermediate School Handbook can be found on this web page and its sub-pages. You can also download a PDF version of the RIS Handbook (English) or (Español).

Welcome

Welcome to Royal Intermediate School (RIS). We are so excited for you to be a part of our school! As a staff we are dedicated to helping you become engaged learners that are accountable for academic growth. Adults in our school will consistently model teamwork and intentional teaching while preparing students for successful futures.

We encourage parents/guardians to be totally involved in all aspects of school during this time and maintain open communication with your child, teachers, support staff and the administration. We believe that all stakeholders should be involved in decision-making. Every member of the RIS staff is here to assist students in learning and growing. 

The information in this student handbook has been prepared to provide students and families with the necessary information about our school. It is essential that all students know the contents and use the handbook throughout the year. 

Make your years at Royal Intermediate your best ever!


Angela Baldus
Principal

“This Student, This Place, This Day – It Matters!”

Royal Intermediate School mission statement:

Mission Statement
In an effort to foster a challenging and supportive climate for all to be successful, we will strive to promote continuous engagement among our students and staff, where a supportive sense of community is built through organized collaboration and positive communication.

Statement of Staff Beliefs
At RIS we strive to do the following:

*Create a positive and engaging school environment that continuously challenges students and offers evolving academic goals.

 *Collaborate with one another to achieve our collective goals through ongoing professional development, PLCs, and continuous improvement.
            
 *Promote a supportive and positive school climate by making personal connections that build relationships and modeling qualities and character traits that we want to instill in our students.

*Ensure all students are successful by analyzing assessment data and utilizing that data in the classroom and enrichment/intervention to address individual needs and learning styles.

 *Provide a safe and inviting environment for students where clear expectations, consistent consequences, and respect are valued.

*Involve families and community in the education of their children by creating a school- wide environment and atmosphere of welcome and collaboration. 

 EARLY RELEASE SCHEDULE

  • Red Rock Elementary 12:20 p.m
  •  Royal Intermediate 12:25 p.m.
  • Middle School 12:30 p.m.
  • High School 12:35 p.m
LATE STARTS – 2-hour
  • School Starts at 10:20 a.m.
  •  No breakfast

LATE STARTS – 1-hour

  • School Starts at 9:20 a.m.
  •  Breakfast is served
SNOW INFORMATION
  • Television Q-6 News
  •  Royal School District Facebook & Instagram
  • School Messenger
  • FM Radio KIOK 94.90 FM Country
  • FM Radio KZHR 92.5 FM Espanol

IMPORTANT
The local radio stations will carry broadcasts covering school delays, closures or other emergencies. This message will also be carried on the early morning news program.  A phone call will be sent out via our School Messenger. Parents and pupils are instructed to listen to check the resources above rather than attempt to telephone the school or transportation department. 
If there is NO announcement, then school is open and on time.

Daily Attendance

RCW 28A.04.135 and RCW 28A.27.010

Attendance at RIS is mandatory and of special concern to all members of the Royal School District and to our community.  All students who are enrolled are required to attend regularly.  It is the responsibility of the parent(s) or guardian(s) to cause the students to attend.  It is the responsibility of the student to attend for the full time when school is in session unless the student is enrolled in an outside program.  It is equally important that students are participating on the days when they are not physically present.

Attendance Procedure (SB Policy 3122P)
See school board policies on the school website or request a copy at the RIS office.

Community Truancy Board
A “community truancy board” means a board established pursuant to an understanding between juvenile court and RSD and composed of members of the community.  The district will enter into an understanding with the juvenile court in Grant County to establish a community truancy board prior to the 2018-2019 school year.

Not later than the seventh unexcused absence within any month during the current school year or upon the tenth unexcused absence during the current school year, if the district attempts to substantially reduce a student’s absences have not been successful and if the student is under the age of seventeen, the district will file a petition and supporting affidavit for a civil action in juvenile court.

Petitions may be served by certified mail with a return receipt requested, but if such service is unsuccessful, personal service is required.  At the district’s choice, it may be represented by a person who is not an attorney at hearing related to truancy petitions.

If the allegations in the petition are established by a preponderance of the evidence, the court shall grant the petition and enter an order assuming jurisdiction to intervene for a period of time determined by the court, after considering the facts alleged in the petition and the circumstance of the student, to most likely cause the student to return to and remain in school while the student is subject to the court’s jurisdiction.

If the court assumes jurisdiction, the school district will periodically report to the court any additional unexcused absences by the student, actions taken by the district, and an update on the student’s academic status in school at a schedule specified by the court.  The first report must be received no later than three months from the date that the court assumes jurisdiction.
All sanctions imposed for failure to comply with the attendance policies and procedures shall be implemented in conformance with state and district regulations regarding corrective action or punishment.

Washington State Truancy (BECCA Bill) and Complulsory Attendance Laws. Royal School District.

STEP 1

In response to one (1) unexcused absence:  Inform parent by phone or by letter. 

STEP 2

In response to three (3) unexcused absences: The school will schedule a parent conference to improve the student's attendance. For students who are in Middle/High School, the school will administer the WARNS assessment and take data-informing steps to eliminate or reduce student's abasences. (parent permission not required).

STEP 3

In response to five (5) unexcused absences in a month: Parent and school must enter into an attendance contract to improve the student's attendance.  If contract is not followed or student and/or parent refuses to enter into a contract, see Step 4.  

STEP 4

In response to seven (7) unexcused absences in a month or fifteen (15) unexcused absences in a school year:  School will file a truancy petition as a STAY to Grant County Juvenile Court (GCJC) and refer the family to Community Engagement Board (CEB). If agreement is not followed or student and/or parent refuses to attend CEB, see Step 5.

STEP 5

File a CEB Return of Case and a Case Declaration with GCJC.  Parents and students will attend a truancy hearing at GCJC.  School will recieve notice for court requirements. If non-compliant with court's requirements, see Step 6. 

STEP 6

File In Contempt with Grant County Juvenile Court. New hearing date will be set. Sanctions will be imposed. 

Curriculum & Materials

CURRICULUM
Royal Intermediate curriculum is a comprehensive one, including reading skills, math, writing, science, and social studies. In addition, students at Royal Intermediate have library, music, two physical education classes, and STEM.

MATERIALS
Math – Illustrative Math
Reading – Wonders 
Science – STC Science Kits

Visiting Campus

(Due to COVID-19 this section is subject to change)

(Board Policy 5630)
 
We encourage visitors.  All parents and other visitors sign in at the office before visiting our facilities.  A visitor pass will be issued to the parent/guardian/visitor to ensure staff that this has been done.  Parent/guardian/visitor may be asked to present photo identification upon request.

Volunteers

(Board Policy 3245)

Royal Intermediate needs and encourages parents/guardians to be involved in their child’s education. Parents formed a PTO in Royal City because they wanted to support academic and cultural programs, as well as enhance communication between home and school. There are a variety of opportunities to become involved. Volunteers will be asked to participate in a background check that can be conducted by the school secretary.

Personal Devices and Valuables Policy

Large sums of money and valuables must be left at home. If students bring any valuable item to school they do so AT THEIR OWN RISK. School personnel will not be required to investigate the loss or theft of those items. The school and district assume no responsibility for loss of students’ personal property. If cellphones are brought to school, the expectation is that they are turned off and left in backpacks/lockers during the entire school day. Cellphones may not be taken out of backpacks/lockers at all during the school day. Failure to adhere to this policy will result in disciplinary action.

Student Check Out

(Board Policy 3200)

No student shall be removed from the school grounds or from school buildings during school hours except by a person authorized to do so by a parent or legal guardian who has legal custody of the student. If a parent is picking up a student during school time, he or she must be checked out of the office with a signature and may be asked to present photo identification upon request.

Student’s Responsibility

(Board Policy 3200) 

Students should come to school with the desire to learn. The school staff’s goal is to help children to succeed. However, the student must make personal effort to learn and participate in school. It is the student’s responsibility to cooperate with the teacher and to do the best that they can to learn. When students make a positive effort to learn, they find success.

Always try, cooperate with others, respect others, and manage yourself.

Student Rights

(Board Policy 3210)

The mission of the district is to assure learning experiences to help all students develop skills, competencies and attitudes fundamental to achieving individual satisfaction as responsible, contributing citizens.

  • A student shall have the right to educational opportunity and treatment in all aspects of the academic and activities program without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, pregnancy, previous arrests or incarcerations, or non-program-physical, sensory, or mental disabilities.
  • A student shall enjoy freedom of speech, press, and assembly, providing such expression is not libelous, obscene, or disruptive.
  • A student shall not be deprived of educational rights without due process.
  • A student shall be punctual and regular in attendance unless officially excused. 

Discrimination

Royal School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employee(s) has been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: 

  • Cody Miller, Title IX Officer & District Compliance Officer, [email protected], 921 Ahlers Rd. Royal City, WA 99357, (509)346-2256.
  • Heather Quigley, 504 coordinator, [email protected], 230 Wildflower St NE, Royal City, WA 99357.

You can report discrimination and discriminatory harassment to any school staff member or to the district's Civil Rights Coordinator, listed above. You also have the right to file a complaint (see below). For a copy of your district’s nondiscrimination policy and procedure, contact your school or district office or view it online here.

Discrimination