Family-Student Handbook

Student attendance is the most important factor a parent or guardian can support to improve a student’s school performance. It is critical that students attend school every day and arrive on time.

Students must have a bus pass to ride the bus. Riding the bus is a privilege, not a right. Inappropriate conduct will not be tolerated. This applies while waiting at the bus stop and while on the bus. Review 

Review Highland’s no–cell phone policy to ensure your student is set up for success. Please note the consequences for repeated offenses.

Review the steps for addressing concerns and ensuring a positive, respectful environment at Highland Elementary. Following these guidelines helps resolve issues fairly and supports a safe, welcoming school community.

District policy prohibits school staff from discussing a student’s personal information—including grades and health concerns—with anyone not on the student’s approved contact list. Please ensure the office has an up-to-date list of individuals authorized to pick up your student or access their information.

Review the dismissal schedule for TK–6 students to plan ahead for the start of the school year. Stay informed so your student’s pick-up times are always on track.

Review our Student Dress Code Guidelines to ensure you are prepared for a safe, respectful, and distraction-free learning environment. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the expectations for tops, bottoms, shoes, and head coverings below.

Between 8:10 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., all students should enter through the main entrance on Ensign Avenue. Students must go directly to the cafeteria for breakfast or to their class to line up.

Absences from school are excused only for health reasons, family emergencies, or other justifiable personal reasons permitted by law, board policy, or administrative regulations (Education Code 48205). Review our full policy regarding excused absences.

Field trips are exciting for everyone, and we welcome parent support! Be sure to review VCUSD’s requirements for volunteering and chaperoning before signing up.

All students are eligible for free breakfast and lunch. Breakfast is served from 8:00–8:25 a.m. Students may also bring a lunch from home, and we encourage healthy food choices.

Review your child’s academic progress throughout the year—report cards are issued each trimester, with progress reports provided midway. For students who need extra support, a Student Study Team (SST) may develop a personalized plan to help them succeed."

At Highland Elementary School, we are dedicated to cultivating a vibrant, community-centered learning environment where every student is empowered to thrive. We commit to providing equitable opportunities that address the unique needs of each learner, ensuring access to resources, support, and encouragement necessary for success. 

Highland Elementary School strives to be a vibrant, community-centered learning environment where every student thrives through equitable opportunities and outcomes in a safe and supportive atmosphere. We are strongly committed to high-quality teaching that fosters academic excellence, character development and lifelong learning.

Review Highland Elementary’s visitor guidelines to ensure a safe and smooth visit.

Review our schoolwide expectations and discipline guidelines to ensure a safe and respectful learning environment.

Review our attendance guidelines carefully to help your student build strong habits and stay on track for success.

This is the big day—let’s make sure everyone can participate! Review the requirements to ensure you or your student are eligible to participate in the promotion ceremony.

School Attendance Review Teams (SARTs) are established at school sites to address attendance and behavior concerns early, before they escalate. The goal is to involve parents as active team members in resolving the student’s challenges. View more information about SARTs. Learn more information about School Attendance Review Teams.

A tardy is defined as arriving to class after the bell rings. Students who arrive 30 minutes or more after the bell are considered truant. Students with excessive tardies will first receive a verbal warning, followed by additional steps outlined in the school’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) guidelines.