School Policies

School policies cover a diverse range of subjects.  Some are defined by the School District, others by the Site Council, or School Administrative Team.  Information on specific policies can be obtained from the school office.

Release of students from school:

No student will be allowed to leave school, during regular school hours, unless picked up by a parent / guardian or appropriately designated adult. The parent / guardian must sign the student out in the main office.  

If students need to leave school during the regular school hours, they need to bring a note signed by their parent / guardian. All students should bring the note to the office, in the morning, to receive an "Excuse to Leave the Building" pass.

Please be sure to also have students sign back in if they return during school hours.

Busing to and from school:

Busing is a privilege.  Transported students are assigned a pick-up and drop-off corner.  Students are required to get on and off the bus at their designated corners.

Each transported student has the right to a safe and enjoyable ride to and from school free from intimidation, threat, or harassment.  Good conduct of all students while waiting for the school bus and while traveling to and from school is primary to a safe and enjoyable ride for all students.  Students who display unacceptable behavior will be disciplined.

Students who are involved in serious or repeated incidents of unacceptable behavior will have their riding privileges suspended or revoked.  The District will not provide alternative transportation and it becomes the parent / guardian’s responsibility to transport their child to and from school.  Suspension of riding privileges affects not only transportation to and from school, but fieldtrips as well.

Look for the “Student Responsibilities” handout in your child’s First Day Packet for a complete listing of unacceptable behaviors and required consequences.  These are policies set by the District.

Classroom assignments for students:

Assigning students to classrooms for the school year is done at the end of the previous year by the teachers, working in conjunction with the principal.  Before the assignment procedure begins, parents / guardians are invited to advise the school of any concerns they have regarding the academic, social, emotional and physical needs of their child(ren).  These concerns are important and are taken into consideration.  However, requests for specific teachers are not accepted.

Pesticides

In accordance with Minnesota Statue 123.B.575, Parents Right to Know Act, all parents, guardians and employees are advised that an estimated schedule of applications of pesticides is available in the school’s office for review or copying. In addition, any parent or guardian who wishes to be notified of any variation from this schedule may be notified by providing five self-addressed, stamped envelopes to the school to be used throughout the year for mailing purposes. The schedule and subsequent notices apply only to pesticides in toxicity categories I, II, or III as classified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, or a restricted-use pesticide as designated by federal law. 

Discipline:

The philosophy at Capitol Hill is to create a positive learning environment through positive reinforcement of appropriate behaviors.  We believe that:

q         Everyone has the right to learn, and no one has the right to interfere with another’s learning.

q         Everyone’s person, dignity, welfare, and material possessions should be respected.

q         Every child can succeed.

The Cougar Award program builds upon the Cougar Creed by celebrating students who demonstrate the values of honesty, respect, integrity, trust, and gratitude.  Through participation in a variety of school events, students are given the opportunity to develop and increase their skills in being a positive member of the Capitol Hill community.

Behavioral problems are initially addressed by the classroom teacher and/or support staff. Administration will become involved if the behavior is severe or if it continues.  Consequences may include removal from class, detention, parent / guardian conference, dismissal or suspension, and Saturday School for students in grades 7 and 8. Suspensions are determined after an in-depth investigation of the situation and in accordance with the Minnesota Pupil Fair Dismissal Act. Examples of incidents which could result in suspension are fighting, willful disobedience, defiance, theft, pyrotechnic devices, threats, sexual or racial harassment, vandalism or willful damage of school property, gang or cult activity, drugs, alcohol or tobacco and possession of a weapon.

Capitol Hill follows the Saint Paul Public School District Conduct Guide when a dismissal or suspension is necessary.  A parent / guardian conference with administration is requested before a child returns to school following a suspension. 

Peer mediation is available and used when appropriate as a way of helping students handle their differences.

Detention:

Students in grades 7-8, if issued detention, will serve it during their lunch time or other time as arranged through staff.  Other grade levels may also have detention times during lunch or as arranged by staff.

Food-Treats:

Students bringing food to share with others need to make sure the food is "store purchased."

Dress:

The rules of the season and good taste should prevail with regard to school

dress. Please keep in mind the following guidelines:

1.      Clothing or jewelry depicting sexual sayings, and / or advertising illegal substances are not allowed.

2.      Clothing must be worn in an appropriate manner.

3.      Clothing reflecting gang affiliation will not be tolerated.

4.      No outerwear (jackets, windbreakers, etc,) may be worn in class.

5.      Clothing should be appropriate for a school setting; halter tops, short shorts and short skirts, etc. are not allowed.

6.      Hats or head gear of any kind may not be worn in school.  

Homework:

Homework is a necessary and integral part of the learning process; it is expected every student in the Saint Paul Public Schools will receive homework.

Students in grades 7 – 8 will be given progress reports approximately once a month for parents to verify the child is completing and turning in homework.  Students in grades 7 - 8 have a specific homework policy which will be included in the First Day Packet.

Parents may monitor their child's progress through the use of the Parent Portal available on the district web site.

Lockers:

All students in grades 1-8 are provided with a locker.  In addition, students in grades 7 - 8 are issued a lock.  Students in grades 1-6 may bring a lock, but their Homebase teacher must be provided with keys or combinations.

Students in grades 7 - 8 are responsible for making sure that the lock is properly locked at all times.  Students will be charged $ 5.00 to replace missing locks.

Locker searches can and will take place if administration is given information that illegal and/or dangerous items are in the lockers.  Locker clean out will be held as needed for the purpose of maintaining a pleasant and safe environment.   Students should use masking tape or magnets if they wish to hang pictures or information within the locker. 

School closing:

When the District closes all schools due to the weather, it will be announced on WCCO Radio, 830 AM or the District’s Website at www.spps.org.

Student use of school telephone:

Students must have the permission of their teacher or office staff to use the phone. Phones are in every classroom and in the school office.

Visitors:

For the safety of our students, all visitors, including volunteers, must sign in and pick up an identification badge in the school office.  Visitors attending school programs or conferences do not need a badge.

Pledge of Allegiance

Minnesota law requires all public school students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance at least once a week (unless the local school board annually votes to waive this requirement). At Capitol Hill the pledge will be recited each Monday morning, over the load speaker, by administrative staff.

"Anyone who does not wish to participate in reciting the pledge of allegiance for any personal reason may elect not to do so. Students must respect another person's right to make that choice." MN Statute 121A.11(3)(B).