School Handbook

Reporting an Absence or Late Arrival

Please call the attendance line at 503-356-2460 in advance of the absence and report your: 

• Child’s name
• Child’s teacher & grade
• Reason for the absence/late arrival
• Number of days he/she will be absent (if known)

All absences must be reported on the attendance line. Please call the attendance line before school begins if possible. Reporting your child’s absence should be a priority. You may also email your child’s teacher of his/her absence after calling the attendance line.

Reporting a Pre-Arranged Absence

Please call the attendance line at 503-356-2460 in advance of the pre-arranged absence and report your: (a note/email to your child’s teacher about the absence would also be appreciated).

• Child's name
• Child's teacher & grade
• Reason for the pre-arranged absence
• Dates he/she will be absent

Auto Dialer for Unexcused Absences

Scholls Heights utilizes the Beaverton School District’s  Auto-Dialer for attendance notification.

Attendance notification, through BSD’s automated dialer system, is made for any student who has an unexcused absence for that day. If your child’s absence is not reported on our attendance line, the system will call the primary phone number AND send an email to the parent designated as #1 in the call sequence who has supplied an email address. You must call the attendance line within 24 hours to clear the unexcused absence. All absences not excused after 24 hours will remain unexcused on Scholls Heights’ attendance reporting.

Absences Due to Family Trips or Vacations Will Result in Unexcused Absences

Occasionally, families will plan a trip which requires that the student be absent from school. On those occasions, it is important to notify our attendance line and your student’s teacher in writing as soon as plans are set stating the dates of absence and when the student will return. It is not reasonable to expect teachers to provide work for extended absences due to vacation. Most learning in elementary school occurs in the classroom through activities that can’t be duplicated at home so we highly discourage families from taking vacations when school is in session. Please note that student absences due to vacations or family trips will be marked as unexcused.

Note:  State of Oregon requirements and Beaverton School District policy requires that children who are absent for more than 10 consecutive school days be automatically withdrawn and parents must re-enroll upon returning to school. Parents are responsible for a child’s education during an extended absence.

Tardiness

Classes begin promptly at 8:15 A.M. Children are to be in their classrooms at that time. Teachers will keep a record of tardiness which will be communicated to parents. Students arriving after 8:20 A.M. must check in at the office. Late arrivals due to bus delays are not considered tardies. All tardies will be documented on report cards.

In order for students to take advantage of the educational opportunities that are offered, it is important that they be in school every day.  All absences will be recorded on report cards and permanent records. All children between the ages of 6 and 18 years who have not completed the twelfth grade are required to attend, regularly and full-time, the appropriate public school within their attendance area, as provided under ORS 339.010. Students who are absent for 10 or more consecutive school days will be withdrawn from the Beaverton School District and must re-enroll when they return.

Regular school attendance is extremely important. Your child should be in school, on time, every day, all day, unless there is an illness or family emergency. However, if your child is ill, it is better to have the student remain at home until full recovery is made. Be sure to contact our 24 hr. attendance line at 503-356-2461.

--Also see “Absences”

Please contact our school nurse, Meghan O’Loughlin, as well as your child’s teacher if he or she has severe allergies. A health management plan will be completed and all appropriate staff alerted. At the parent’s request, students with nut allergies can sit at our nut-free table at lunch. They may invite one friend (with a nut-free lunch) to sit with them.

For student safety and in accordance with Beaverton School District policy, dogs (with the exception of service dogs) and other pets cannot be on the school premises, including outdoor school grounds, while students are arriving, departing or when school is in session. The reaction people and dogs have with each other is unpredictable. Many children are fearful and/or allergic to animals.

Our approach to behavior and discipline is that misbehavior is an opportunity to teach a child how to make different choices next time, to understand why their choices are important, and how their choices can impact others. This happens through explicit instruction, positive adult/student relationships, self-reflection, problem solving, positive reinforcement and use of natural and logical consequences. 

We believe in the importance of social emotional learning(SEL). We will continue to focus on SEL work during our staff meeting and professional development time. We will continue to focus on student success using resources such as Kindness in the Classroom, Restorative Practices, Collaborative Problem Solving, Kelso’s Choice and by creating a sense of community within our school and classrooms.

Students who ride their bikes to school must get off their bikes as soon as they enter school property and walk their bikes to the bike rack. Doing so helps with the safety of pedestrians. There should be no riding of bikes in the school driveways and parking lots.

Birthdays may be celebrated in the classroom in whatever way classroom teachers choose to honor the child.  We ask that parents do not bring in treats, “goodie bags” or gifts as this can be an equity issue.

No Flowers, Edible Displays or Balloon Deliveries

Flower deliveries and edible displays will not be accepted for individual students due to the classroom disruption that will result. In addition balloons are not allowed at school. Latex balloons may result in allergy problems; mylar balloons set off our security system if left overnight. Balloons are not allowed on buses because they present a safety concern.

Personal Party Invitations

Personal party invitations are not to be distributed at school as feelings are often hurt, and classroom instruction is interrupted by these activities.  Please consider signing up for the school directory through our PTO.  This is a secure way for families to connect.

School bus transportation is provided for Scholls Heights students except to those who live within the Non-Transported Zones. Schedules and routes are available in the school office. 

Students must bring a note from a parent or guardian if they are to ride a different bus or get off at a different stop. If a student does not bring a note, he/she will not be able to ride a different bus or get off/on at a different stop. Notes of this nature should be given to classroom teachers and the office who will sign them and then have students give them to their bus drivers. Please call the District Transportation Office at 503-356-4200 if you have questions or visit our Transporation webpage.

Bus Stops

Students riding the school bus must arrive at the bus stop on time. Children will line up for the bus in the order they arrive. There are no “cuts” or privileges because of age, size, or gender. Students will load and unload the bus in a safe and orderly fashion. Students should arrive approximately five minutes before the scheduled time their bus is to arrive. Problems often occur when students arrive too early for the bus and have too much unsupervised time.

Bus Rules

1. Students being transported are under the authority of the bus driver.

2. Fighting, wrestling or boisterous activity is prohibited on the bus.

3. Students shall use the emergency door only in case of emergency.

4. Students shall be on time for the bus both morning and afternoon.

5. Students shall not eat on the bus.

6. Students shall not bring animals, firearms, weapons, or other potentially hazardous materials on the bus.

7. Students shall remain seated while the bus is in motion.

8. Students may be assigned seats by the bus driver.

9. When necessary to cross the road, students shall cross in front of the bus, or as instructed by the clear signal of the bus driver. It is extremely important that students wait for the signal.

10. Students shall not extend their hands, arms or heads through the bus windows.

11. Students shall have written permission to leave the bus at a stop other than their regular stop.

12. Students shall converse in normal tones; loud or vulgar language is prohibited.

13. Students shall not open or close windows without the permission of the bus driver.

14. Students shall keep the bus clean and must refrain from damaging it.

15. Students shall be courteous to the driver, fellow students and passersby.

16. Students shall keep hands, feet and objects to themselves.

17. Students will select a seat quickly and remain seated at all times. Students must be willing to share a seat with at least one or two other students.

18. Students who refuse to obey promptly the directions of the bus driver, or refuse to obey regulations may forfeit their privilege to ride the school bus.

Consequences for Not Following Bus Rules

Students violating bus rules will initially receive a verbal warning and/or a possible written pre-citation warning. Further problems may result in a written bus citation. Consequences of the citation will be determined by the principal. It is possible to lose bus riding privileges if problems persist.

Students who bring cell phones and smart watches to school must keep them “off and away” at all times during the school day. Students may check for messages after school and put smart watches on at the end of the school day.  The Beaverton School District is not responsible for the loss of student or staff cell phones/watches. 

Cell phones must also be stored in backpacks while on the school bus.

Our counselor works with students, staff and parents to address student emotional and social needs. The counselor will make whole class presentations to promote proactive social development. The school counselor also works with students individually as well as in groups to build a positive climate and school spirit.  Parents are welcome to contact the counselor with any issues related to their child’s academic, social and/or emotional development.

A list of child care providers in the area is available in the school office.

Neither Scholls Heights nor the Beaverton School District endorses any of these services. On the list are several daycare providers in our area that furnish van transportation to and from school.

Although there is no formal dress code at Scholls Heights, students are encouraged to practice good grooming. 

Flip-flops, Crocs and open-back/toe shoes (ex. sandals) are strongly discouraged. These types of shoes are not allowed for P.E. and are an unsafe choice for most recess activities. In addition, they are unstable and frequently break and can cause foot injuries and leave a student shoeless.

We ask that parents also look at the appropriateness of words/symbols/pictures imprinted on clothing before allowing children to wear them to school.

Outer clothing should be marked for easy identification (e.g., jackets, sweaters, etc.). Our lost and found is usually overflowing with unmarked clothing. Items not marked with student names are donated to the District Clothes Closet three times per year. The school is not responsible for lost clothing items.

 Oregon state law and District regulations require that any student living in a home in which a second language is spoken be evaluated by our BSD Multilingual Department. Eligibility is determined by the District’s ELD Intake Center.

Teachers plan valuable learning experiences which take place outside of the classroom for their students. Specific educational objectives are formulated before the trip and follow-up activities take place upon return.  Grade level teachers determine the field trip destinations and all classes in the grade level participate. 

In the past few years, field trips have been paid for by a combination of funds provided by parents, the PTO, grants, and the school district. Teachers are assisted on field trips by volunteer parents who have cleared a background check.  There are often a limited number of volunteers who can accompany classes on field trips.  Please check with your child's teacher if you are interested in volunteering.

Transportation is by school bus. Because of District insurance policies, we cannot include other children (e.g. siblings) on school buses for a field trip.

Permission slips for students to participate on field trips will be sent home by the classroom teacher. If the form is not signed or if a parent does not want their child to go on the field trip, arrangements will be made for the student to do an activity in another classroom.

Notes expressing thanks, commendation or appreciation are always welcome, however, staff are not able to accept more than $50.00 worth of gifts annually from any one giver (including lunch, event tickets, gift items, etc.) or they will be in violation of State ethics rules.

We believe that elementary school students should devote some out of school time to their studies in order to attain their fullest potential. It is important that students complete homework on time and that they develop good study habits. If a student doesn’t have homework, we encourage parents to have students read aloud to an adult or to themselves during their home study time.

Parent/guardians are asked to please help their children complete assignments by providing a quiet place to study and consistent nightly study time. Teachers at Scholls Heights strive to provide meaningful and reasonable assignments. Homework policies are different at each grade level and are based on current educational research. Homework is assigned to Scholls Heights students for the following reasons:

• to complete work started in class.
• to expand and/or enrich regular class work.
• to build interest in reading or learning.
• to give additional practice and application to strengthen learning.
• to make up work missed due to absence.
• to develop responsibility and study skills.

Homework Guidelines

In general, students in grades 1-3 may have 15 to 30 minutes per night; students in grades 4-5 may have 30 to 60 minutes per night. Some students may spend more time due to special projects, not using their time well in class, or striving for excellence. Parents and teachers need to work together to help each student be successful in their homework assignments. The specific policy for each grade level will be explained by classroom teachers at Back-to-School Night.

Homework Requests

Parents/guardians may make requests for homework assignments if their child will be unable to attend school due to illness or injury. Please keep in mind that homework requests require the special attention of the teacher.  In addition, much of what is done in class does not involve a worksheet.

Note: Teachers will not be able to prepare special homework packets for students who go on family trips or vacations.

Delayed School Opening or School Closure (e.g., Snow Day)

On occasion, weather conditions may permit schools to operate, but require the opening to be delayed. On a delayed school day schedule, Scholls Heights will open two hours late at 10:15 AM. with buses operating two hours late.  Announcement of a delayed school opening or school closure will be made between 6:00 and 7:30 AM. on local radio and TV stations as well as on the Beaverton School District website. Families may also sign up for BSD text notifications by doing the following:

Step 1: Your cell phone number must be on file at your child’s school.

Step 2: Text “YES” to 67587

Emergency Closure During the School Day

Parents should emphasize to their children where they should go in case school must be closed during the day. It is impossible to notify each parent by phone, so previous instructions from parents can help reduce student anxiety in emergency situations. At the beginning of each school year, parents will be asked to complete an emergency school closure family plan on their enrollment verification form. Please keep us advised if your plan changes.

Classroom teachers will keep the plan on file and will follow it should school close early.

Beaverton School District insurance does not cover student injuries due to accidents at school or during school-sponsored activities, such as field trips.  At the beginning of each school year, the District provides parents with information on a voluntary accident insurance program. Parents should consider this insurance option if their student is not covered by a family health or accident insurance plan.The opportunity to enroll is only available at the beginning of the school year. Visit this page for more information: https://www.beaverton.k12.or.us/departments/risk-management/insurance

Scholls Heights is fortunate to have a library/media center that is rich in print materials. We are always building our collection of books, both student-centered and professional, for check-out and instructional purposes. The goal of gathering such a collection in a school library is to enrich and support the school curricula, thereby enriching and supporting the teaching and learning experiences of our students and staff. 

Our library media assistant sees our students on a regular weekly basis for library media instruction and check-out time. Library media curriculum is carefully structured around grade level curriculum and rooted in literacy standards. Books can be checked out for two weeks. All materials can be renewed as many times as desired as long as a hold has not been placed on the material(s) by another user. We want our students to have new reading material as often as possible; this is a crucial part of fostering literacy. Students are, therefore, encouraged to turn in their materials as soon as they are finished so that they can check out new materials to enjoy. They do not need to wait until their regularly scheduled library time to do this. 

Our media center is a place of learning and fun. We want all users to take advantage of the wide variety of reading materials we are fortunate to have. We always, always welcome volunteers. 

Computer Technology Rotation Special

Every five days, students will have the opportunity to attend a combined library/media specials rotation.

As part of the media rotation, students will be instructed in computer technology skills and have access to hands on technology experiences.

The school has a LOST AND FOUND located just outside the front office. Encourage your child to report lost articles to the teacher immediately and to check the Lost and Found. Name tags and other forms of identification are helpful in returning lost items, particularly for backpacks, coats and lunch pails. It is especially important that Scholls Heights sweatshirts and t-shirts be labeled.

Encourage your child to check the LOST AND FOUND frequently. Small items, jewelry, money and eyeglasses are turned into the school office. All unclaimed items will be donated to the Beaverton Clothes Closet at the end of each trimester prior to winter, spring and summer breaks.

Lunch Times and Information

Lunch Times

 Security Recess Policy

We're very sorry, however, due to increased safety precautions at the district and Scholls Heights, we are no longer allowing parents/guardians to attend lunch or recess with their child.  

However, parents/guardians and visitors are allowed to check in to the office and sign their student out for lunch.  

Meal Etiquette

Health department regulations stipulate that students should wash or sanitize their hands before eating and are not allowed to share any portion of their meals. Students are expected to clean up after themselves, return trays to the proper location, recycle appropriate items and dispose of garbage in the waste containers.

Lunches from Home

Students are always welcome to bring nutritious lunches from home. Students should not bring sodas or high energy drinks.

Lunch Accounts

Elementary meals are free for the 2024-25 school year.

Beaverton School District is committed to providing you with the information and convenience you need to manage your student’s nutritional decisions and school meal account.

SchoolCafé is an on-line payment system that is linked to your student's cafeteria account.  Parents can register for a free SchoolCafe account on the SchoolCafe website.  You will need to have your student's 6-digit district ID to do so, which you can get by contacting the school.  Payments made are usually credited to a student's account within 2 hours, but may take up to 24 hours, so it's best to make payments at least one day in advance.

Once you have registered for a new SchoolCafé account, you can do the following at no charge:

• Create a free, secured account to manage all of your students' meal accounts.
• Check your student's current account balance at any time.
• Monitor the items your student has been purchasing in the cafeteria.
• Create settings to receive email notifications when the account reaches a low balance.

Create settings to automatically replenish your student's account when it reaches a low balance.

There is a $20.00 minimum deposit and 5% service fee for deposits made on SchoolCafé.

Parents may deposit money into their student’s account by any of the following methods:

• Send cash or a check made out to : Scholls Heights. When making a payment, please indicate your student's first and last name along with his/her student ID# on the memo line of the check, or insert cash in an envelope with your student's first and last name and student ID# on the sealed envelope. 
• Payments can be deposited in the lunch money box inside the school office. 

Hot Lunch Procedure

Students who purchase hot lunch will enter their student ID number after they select their entrees, salad bar items and a beverage.  A cafeteria worker will assist students if they forget their ID number. The amount will be deducted from the student’s lunch account.  The cafeteria worker will see a photograph of the student when he/she enters their ID number to ensure that the correct account is being charged.

Students who need to be picked up early for medical or dental appointments are to be signed out at the office and office staff will call down to the classroom to release the student. The student will come to the office to meet their parent/guardian.

Students in grades K-5 will participate in a two weekly music classes where they will sing, dance and play instruments. They will learn about composers, styles and history of music, rhythm, harmony, expression, timbre, form and melody as well as develop music appreciation and performance skills. Selected grade levels will have musical performances during the school year.

The Scholls Heights Knights (parent newsletter) will be sent out via Parent Square the first Friday of every month. 

The PTO sends a newsletter each month via email. They also keep up to date information on the Scholls Heights PTO Facebook Page. 

Scholls Heights staff members have email, voicemail boxes, and classroom newsletters. Staff members will be happy to share that information with you. Parents are encouraged to use voicemail or email during the school day for non-emergency messages to avoid disrupting classroom instruction.  If information is necessary for the teacher to receive once school has begun, please call the office to ensure the message is received.

Scholls Heights’s school nurse is Meghan O’Loughlin.  If you have a health concern such as food allergies or other questions regarding your child, please inform the school secretary and a decision will be made either to contact the nurse immediately or to make a referral. A school nurse visits our school approximately two hours per week but is available by phone or email.

 The Scholls Heights Parent/Teacher Organization (PTO) is a volunteer parent/teacher/community organization that exists to promote and enhance the educational opportunities for students at Scholls Heights and to help develop a sense of community. All Scholls Heights parents/guardians and teachers are automatically members of the PTO. Meetings are held monthly and all interested members are encouraged to attend. If you have questions, please feel free to contact the principal, office staff or any member of the PTO Executive Board.

PTO Website

https://www.shpto.org/

School Board Policy allows for three parties a year of one hour duration. Teacher schedules determine the time of the party. Fifth graders will have a send off party during the last week of school before they move on to middle school. These parties will be planned by teachers and parent volunteers who have cleared the District background check.

School policy requires that all food for parties be store bought. 

The Physical Education program is designed to strengthen individual physical fitness and develop skills necessary for the enjoyment of lifelong recreational activities. It is not intended to be a competitive program for individual goals. All children are expected to participate in P.E. activities. 

PE Clothing

Children in all grade levels are expected to dress appropriately for PE days. All children must wear soft soled shoes that will not mark the floor. Athletic shoes are highly recommended. In addition, depending on the activity, the student may be asked to sit out if proper footwear is not worn. Examples of improper footwear include, but are not limited to, sandals, flip-flops, Crocs, Keens, slip-on shoes with no means to tighten them, boots, heels/wedge or open toe shoes. Each classroom teacher will communicate their schedule for PE to parents.  

For security reasons, parents must come into the office to pick up their child when leaving early due to illness or an appointment. Our office staff will call the child’s classroom to send him/her to the office. The parent must sign their child out in our sign-out book. Students will not be allowed to wait out in front of the school for their parents.

All community members are welcome to use the grounds when school is not in session including weekends, holidays or after 4:00 P.M. on school days as long as the grounds are not reserved through SchoolDude/Facilities Dept. After school, students may not return to the playground until after 4:00 P.M. (after they first go home or to daycare).

Remember: The school does not provide supervision on our playground before or after school.

Report cards are posted through Parent VUE twice a year.  Parents can also access their child's report card on ParentVUE at any time.  Should you have any questions regarding your child’s grades, please contact their teacher.

Creating a safe school climate for our students is a priority. A critical ingredient in creating a safe school environment is classroom response to an incident at school. Weather events, fire, accidents, intruders and other threats to student safety are scenarios that are planned and trained for by students, teachers, staff and administration, in partnership with our first responders.

The Beaverton School District in collaboration with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO), Beaverton Police (BPD) and Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue (TVFR) has implemented the Standard Response Protocol (SRP). 

Standard Response Protocol (SRP)

The SRP is not based on one individual possible scenario but on the response to any given scenario.  One large benefit of the SRP is the standard language used by all responders; this includes students, parents, staff and first responders. The protocol also allows for a predictable series of actions as an event unfolds.

The SRP is based upon four actions: Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate and Shelter. Each has specific staff and student directives that are unique to the action.

Lockdown & Secure Drills

Periodically, Scholls Heights will have lockdown and secure drills so our staff and students are aware of the correct procedures and respond quickly and efficiently for the safety of our students. The purpose of these drills is to make students and staff aware of what to do if there ever was a need to keep students safe from an intruder inside or outside of the school. Prior to the drill, teachers will review and practice procedures with students.

Fire & Earthquake Drills

Once a month, Scholls Heights will conduct a fire drill using the fire alarm. Prior to the first drill in September, students will be instructed on fire drill evacuation procedures. A district-wide earthquake drill will be held twice per school year. The students will practice earthquake drill procedures. An earthquake drill announcement will be made over the school intercom: “This is an earthquake drill, seek shelter, duck, cover and hold on.” All school visitors must comply with drill and evacuation procedures.

Beaverton School District is tobacco free. This means that all use of tobacco is prohibited on all school property (inside and outside) including day and evening meetings and sporting events.

Learning Disabilities Program/Resource Room

This program serves students with normal intelligence who are performing significantly below expected levels of achievement in academic areas. Using multi-sensory techniques in combination with a meaning-centered approach, the program is tailored to the needs of the individual student. The Learning Disabilities Specialist works closely with both the classroom teacher and the parents. Annual assessment results are shared, as is the development of an Individual Education Plan (IEP).

Speech Language Services

This program provides services to students with communication disorders. The range of communication problems includes speech (articulation, stuttering, voice), hearing impairments and language-learning disorders. The speech-language pathologist identifies specific problems at the request of the parent and/or teacher, develops individualized plans, provides ongoing service and consults with parents and teachers.

School Psychologist

The School Psychologist administers tests, consults with parents and teachers, and helps identify students needing special education services. A school psychologist is at Scholls Heights part-time and is available by referral without charge.

Scholls Heights has six specials: technology/media, two music, and two PE classes.

Students in grades 1-5 and kindergarten will rotate between each special on different days.

PE and music specials are 45 minutes and technology/media is 60 minutes.

Occasionally you have friends or relatives staying with you during times when school is in session. Other districts may have different calendars and sometimes numerous visiting “cousins”, etc. wish to attend during their vacation time.  Our policy regarding friends and relatives visiting school is as follows:

Students not attending Scholls Heights will not be allowed to visit school or classrooms during school hours.

There are times when students in High School are interested in volunteering.  There is a youth background check that must be completed in advance of volunteering. This needs to be arranged and approved by the teacher in advance. The background check can take 2-3 weeks to complete. See "Volunteering" for more information.

Eligibility requirements for TAG can be found on the Beaverton School District's Talented and Gifted webpage.

Classroom teachers are responsible for providing instruction at the correct rate and level for identified gifted students. The District TAG Coordinator is available at as a resource consultant. Testing for TAG is conducted once a year, but TAG Identification requires a preponderance of information not just a single test score. In third grade, we screen all students for TAG. Besides third grade, TAG evaluation and testing usually happens from teacher referrals when they observe gifted characteristics in students.

A student’s own toys are to be left at home, except for a specific purpose, such as sharing time with teacher permission. Toys include all trading cards, iPods, and other electronic play devices. Items to be shared should be brought to school in paper sacks or backpacks. We suggest students bring sharing items other than toys. Ideas might include: books, awards, art work or home projects. Cap guns, water guns or look-alike weapons are not to be brought to school and can result in disciplinary consequences.

Teachers cannot tutor (for pay) any student that is in their classroom. Please contact the district office for a list of tutors if you are interested in outside help for your child.

Scholls Heights is an open school with classroom doors that are often open during the school day. This makes it impossible to lock up or secure valuable items. As a result, we ask that students not bring any valuables to school. The school cannot be responsible or replace personal possessions lost by students. In addition, such possessions disrupt the educational process and therefore are not appropriate to have at school.

We ask that parents turn off or set their cell phones to vibrate when they are at school and to move cell phone conversations away from student areas to avoid interrupting classroom instruction and disrupting the educational process.

Students may bring cell phones to school for safety reasons, however, the cell phones must remain off, in backpacks and used only for emergencies or to contact their parents before/after school if necessary. Cell phones may be stored in the office for students who text or call without permission from staff.

Defacing school property is punishable by payment of damages or withholding privilege of use.

Under Oregon law, parents are responsible for payment of up to $100 in damages. The Beaverton School District has adopted this policy and will enforce any and all infractions.

Volunteering is highly encouraged and very much appreciated at Scholls Heights.  If you need additional information or clarification on any volunteer opportunity, please contact one of the PTO Volunteer Coordinators and/or go to the Scholls Heights PTO webpage at https://www.shpto.org/.  

IMPORTANT!

ALL volunteers, including Beaverton School District employees, must CLEAR a background check BEFORE they can volunteer. Volunteers can initiate the background check by completing the online form on the Beaverton School District Volunteer webpage.  Allow a minimum 2-3 weeks. You will be notified when your background check has cleared, and our PTO will give you instructions for obtaining the required volunteer badge that you will need to wear while you volunteer at Scholls Heights.

Volunteer Guidelines

Please note:  We no longer have volunteers on the playground, with the exception of Running Club. Volunteers can work in classrooms and at PTO events.

• You cannot bring a younger sibling with you when you are scheduled to volunteer.
• Sign in at the front office (required).
• Wear your volunteer name badge that will be given to you when your background check has cleared (required).
• Call ahead if you are unable to volunteer at your specific day and time.
• Remember that volunteers are not allowed on the playground or fields during recess unless the volunteer is helping at Running Club, Fun Run or Field Day.
• Maintain a professional attitude towards your volunteer activities.
• Become familiar with classroom policies and practices.
• If needed, schedule a separate conference time with your child’s teacher to discuss questions or concerns you might have regarding your individual student.
• Be respectful of staff planning and teaching time.
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Take pride in your volunteer activities.
• Be respectful of teachers’ personal workspaces and the confidentiality of the materials in their classrooms.
• Leave your cell phone at home or silenced (if you must carry a cell phone for emergencies, please be respectful and take phone conversations outside the school building).
• Refrain from socializing with other volunteers during your volunteer time in the classroom or pods.
• Remember the staff and volunteers at Scholls Heights are working together to educate our children.

When working with students remember:

• Smile and be friendly.
• Learn students’ names and use them often.
• Listen to students; let them ask questions and search for answers.
• Accept students as individuals.
• Be patient.
• Refer any disciplinary concerns to the teacher.

When working in the workroom remember:

• Always allow school staff priority on all equipment.
• To leave the workroom areas clean and orderly.
• Plan to attend a workroom training session. The front office staff has many responsibilities and are not always available to answer questions or troubleshoot problems with the workroom equipment.

Volunteer Management System

Our new system is called Raptor.  You will need to bring your ID and check in at our front office when you come to volunteer.

Any object that has the potential of being used as a weapon is not allowed at school. Toy, plastic or fake weapons are also not allowed and will result in discipline according to the district guidelines (see the BSD Student Family Handbook).

Possession of, threatening to use, or actually using a weapon or simulated weapon, explosives, firecrackers, or other items capable of producing bodily harm is prohibited. Materials or devices that can be readily assembled to create explosives or dangerous weapons, or any materials or devices that have the potential of endangering the safety of others, are also prohibited.

Often young children like to bring items that would be considered weapons for show and tell or to use as part of a project. These items are not be brought to school for any purpose. Things that might fit into this category are pocket knives, BB guns, etc.

It is important that a parent or guardian contacts the office in writing (hard copy or email) if they are planning to withdraw their child from Scholls Heights. We need this notice at least two days in advance in order to prepare transfer papers.