Student Handbook

During Curriculum Night, teachers will share a plan for classroom celebrations.

Please do not send balloon bouquets to school – they are not allowed on buses and cause distraction in the classroom. Invitations for after school birthday celebrations should not be distributed at school.

Teachers will share expectations, standards, goals, plans, and curriculum for the coming school year at Curriculum Night. Parents are strongly encouraged to attend these informative meetings. Dates will be announced and added to the school calendar on the website.

The Northshore School District strives to provide students with optimal conditions for learning by maintaining a school environment where everyone is treated with respect and no one is physically or emotionally harmed.

In order to ensure respect and prevent harm, it is a violation of district policy for a student to be harassed, intimidated, bullied or cyber bullied by others in the school community, at school sponsored events, or when such actions create a substantial disruption to the educational process. The school community includes all students, school employees, school board members, contractors, unpaid volunteers, families, patrons, and other visitors. Harassment because of a student’s race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, mental or physical disability, or other distinguishing characteristics is prohibited Incidents of bullying, intimidation, or harassment may be reported orally or in writing to any staff member.

For more information or if you have been a victim of Harassment, Intimdation or Bullying, please visit the district site related to this topic to find a form and return it to the Main Office at Moorlands.

Items found at school are taken to the rack in front of the gym or to the main office. The rack will be outside of the gym around 8:30 a.m., throughout the school day and for about 30 minutes after school lets out.  Check the rack frequently for any lost items.

Please help to minimize lost items by labeling all of your child’s clothing.  Donations are made throughout the school year.

Effective communication between school and home contributes to quality education for students. Every effort is made at Moorlands to keep you well informed about school procedures, policies and events, as well as the progress of your student throughout the year. We welcome your efforts as well to keep us informed of your students’ needs and any concerns you may have.

The school year is divided into quarters and semesters. The first reporting period is in November. Parent/Teacher conferences will held in late November.

At the end of the first quarter, a progress report will be sent home and will coincide with the Parent/Teacher conferences. At the end of the third quarter, you might also receive a progress report. Check with your student's teacher(s) to determine the policy in that particular classroom.

At the end of the first semester and end of the year, report cards are issued to students.

We encourage parents to contact the teacher if they have a concern about their child’s progress at any time.

Procedures for orderly evacuation in case of fire, earthquake and/or a lock-down are taught and drills are held throughout the year.

These drills can be distressing for children and our staff will do everything they can to minimize the anxiety these situations can cause. Whenever possible, students are notified well in advance of these drills occurring.

School supplies are requested but not required per grade.  A list of recommended supplies will be made available on the school website prior to the start of the next school year. 

Teachers may request additional supplies for their individual classrooms and you can check with your student throughout the year to replenish supplies as needed.

Students are not to use personal cell phones or other electronic devices throughout the school day.  We understand that some students might bring them to campus to communicate with parents after school, but we request that you communicate to your child that they are not to be brought out or used during school hours and that they can come to the office to use the phones in there if they need to reach a parent during the day.

Moorlands follows NSD School Board policy with regard to behavioral expectations and discipline procedures designed to ensure a safe, respectful learning environment for all students.

Moorlands PRIDE is the acronym used to highlight the five behaviors Moorlands Mustangs exhibit to support their success at school: respectful, caring, responsible, ready to learn, and safe.

The student council is an organization that works to foster positive leadership, student involvement in decision-making and school pride. During the school year each class elects a student council representative and an alternate.  The student council will meet once a month and will decide on their focus and goals for the year at one of the first meetings.

At the end of May, the principal meets with teachers to begin class formations for the next school year. Factors such as academic abilities, behavior, social mix and boy/girl ratio are considered. Students are grouped carefully to create balanced classes.

Parent input may be given on our Parent Input form in late May. Parent input is considered and we appreciate your trust and support in the placement decision for your child.

Technology is an important part of our students' every day lives both inside and outside the classroom. The district provides technology for students to use for educational purposes throughout the day and expect that they follow the School Board's Procedures regarding responsible usage of this equipment.  Please read more about Digital Citizenship policies on our district site. 

Northshore schools continue to be among the safest schools in the state. However, all of us in the community must work together to ensure that our schools remain safe. It is unfortunate that firearms and dangerous weapons threaten the safety of children and youth. To address this issue consistent with recent state and federal legislation, Northshore has adopted school board policy concerning the Regulation of Dangerous Weapons and procedures concerning weapons in the Statement of Rights and Responsibilities Concerning Student Conduct.

Under the law (RCW 9.41.280) *, it is a gross misdemeanor for any person (student, staff, parent or patron) to carry a firearm or dangerous weapon onto school property, including school buses, school and non-school facilities being used for school activities. It is illegal for any student or non-student under 18 years of age to have a weapon on campus, regardless of whether the weapon is in a locked vehicle and the owner has the proper permits. The law also requires that schools have signs prohibiting the presence of guns.  Northshore’s schools have signs stating that schools are gun and drug free zones.

It is very important that students and parents understand the consequences of violating this law and district policy. A weapons violation may constitute grounds for immediate expulsion from the district subject to due process and the right to appeal. If a student brings a firearm to school, legislation provides that the student be expelled from the state’s public schools for one year. If a dangerous weapon other than a firearm is involved, a student may also be suspended.

Objects used as a weapon or that look like weapons, such as toy guns or knives, may be treated in the same manner as real weapons. School officials must notify law enforcement of a weapons violation. Other school districts may refuse to admit students expelled for such an offense. The law and district policy is presented in the Rights and Responsibilities Handbook Concerning Student Conduct in the Behavioral Violations section on Weapons.