About Us

RUSSELL RIDGE CENTER

 

Our goal is to create a place where families interested in an alternative for their children have a resource for excellent education.

Included in this handbook:

WHAT IS RRC?

RRC is a school funded by the Tahoma School District #409.  This is a parent-partnered program, an alternative to the traditional classroom-approach to learning.  Our student services are extended to those in grades Kindergarten through High School.  Students who attend here full time do not need to fill out a “Declaration of Intent to Homeschool” form, nor do they fall under the Home Based Instruction law.  Parents will be asked to sign a “Statement of Understanding” about this distinction.

You, as the parents, take on the responsibility for your child’s education.  Our number one commitment is to help you in any way we can to make your school year successful.  We respect each of you and have complete confidence that YOU know what is best for your children.  We will not interfere or question the choices and goals you make for your family. The partnership among the student, parent, and school translates into a strong and nurturing educational environment.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

The RRC Parent Board meets regularly to review elective class proposals and help in decision making and problem solving.  All meetings are open to all interested parents.

We have regularly scheduled parent meetings. We look forward to sharing curriculum and ideas as well as taking care of business at these meetings.

RESOURCES

Extensive Curriculum Library – Materials available for checkout.  CD’s and books return within 2 weeks, some curriculum available on a yearly basis.

Certificated Teachers – Teachers available for consultations, searching out materials, developing lesson plans, and providing curriculum support for subjects you are doing at home.

Classes – Subject areas are decided based on the needs of the students, taught by certificated teachers.  Parents and community volunteers teach elective classes.  See class schedules for current offerings.  Grade levels Kindergarten - High School.

High School Program – This program is best suited for the self-directed; goals are decided among parents, the student, and our High School Consultant, Susan Aigner. 

Parents – There is a strong sense of community here among the families. We all work together and support each other.  Parent volunteers are an integral part of this program.

 STATE REQUIREMENTS

In order to keep our program in compliance with the Alternative Learning Experience WAC (392-121-182) in our state, we have requirements to fulfill.  It is necessary that we keep accurate records in order to maintain the integrity of our program.

Written Student Learning Plan (WSLP) – ALL students who enroll full or part-time here at RRC are required to establish and maintain a WSLP.  Simply stated, a WSLP includes the goals you and your child have for this school term, and how progress toward these goals will be measured.  The parent and District certificated staff, at the first consultation, generate the WSLP which is kept in the student file and up-dated at every consultation.  WAC 392-121-182 changed, effective August 2005.

The new rules require that:

A WSLP must be written before a student can attend classes.

The WSLP must be reviewed monthly

  • Grades K-8 reviewed by parent and staff (student optional)
  • Grades 9-12 reviewed by student and staff (parent optional)

Progress towards WSLP goals will be documented during the review process.

It is important that you bring to each WSLP meeting:

  • New goals you may be working on

  • Questions you may have about curriculum, problems, or any areas of concern.

  • Evidence of progress toward WSLP goals (portfolio materials, etc.)

Full Time Enrolled Students (1.0 FTE)

  • A student who has enrolled with the Tahoma School District
  • Spends a minimum of (10/20/25) hours each week engaged in learning activities as indicated in the student’s WSLP
  • WSLP reflects goals for on and/or off campus instruction
  • Access to curriculum on site, can check out materials
  • Funding available to purchase curriculum for WSLP

Part Time Students

  • A student who has enrolled with the Tahoma School District
  • A student who has declared an intent to homeschool
  • Spends less than (10/20/25) hours each week engaged in learning activities as indicated in the student’s WSLP
  • WSLP reflects goals for on and/or off campus instruction
  • Access to curriculum on site, can check out materials
  • No funding available to purchase curriculum for WSLP

ASSESSMENT

Students must be assessed annually.  How each student will meet this requirement will be discussed at the initial WSLP meeting.  State mandated tests will satisfy this requirement.

We encourage RRC parents to take advantage of the assessment options we offer.  The following assessments are designed to help you in writing the Written Student Learning Plan, and in deciding your learning activities at home. 

  • The BASI is a computer based assessment of Reading, Writing, and Mathematics.  It will assess students in grades 3 – 12 and provide a print out of grade level scores and percentile rank (how well your student does compared to other students who took the same test).  The full test takes about 2 hours.  It is possible to do 1 or 2 of the subtests.  See Susan Aigner if you are interested.
     
  • The Woodcock Mini-Battery of Achievement is a one-on-one paper test that will assess students in grades K – 12 in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics.  It provides a print out of grade level scores and percentile rank (how well your student does compared to other students who took the same test). The full test takes about 1 hour.  It is possible to do 1 or 2 of the subtests.  See Susan Aigner if you are interested.
     
  • Russell Ridge Center has purchased a copy of the Brigance Comprehensive Inventory of Basic Skills.  "The Brigance test is designed primarily for use in elementary and middle school.  It can be a valuable resource in school programs emphasizing individualized instruction."

    1.  The Brigance can identify:
         What skills the student has mastered
         What skills the student has not mastered
         Appropriate educational objectives

    2.  The Brigance can be given by parents or teachers.  No special
          training is required.
     
  • RRC administers all of the District required assessments.  Most of these occur in March and April.  We will provide you necessary information the month before we give these tests.
     
  • RRC will buy WASL testing information and practice books for all interested parents of students taking the tests.  We will have an informational night in February and take orders at that time.

CURRICULUM MATERIALS

 RRC will assist in providing the curriculum materials necessary to work on the WSLP goals.  All texts and non-consumables are the property of RRC and need to be returned at the end of the school year.

Keep in mind that the staff is available to help at other times as well.  You may set up appointments at any time that you feel the need.

HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM

 GENERAL INFORMATION

  1. At the initial Written Student Learning Plan (WSLP) meeting, high school students and their parents will create a general plan for their high school years, including their tentative plans for after high school.  We will use these plans to write a WSLP with appropriate classes, independent study courses, and other learning experiences to help the students achieve their goals.  WSLP update meetings are held monthly.
     
  2. Russell Ridge Center does not offer a high school diploma.  Students work on courses and activities designed to pass the Compass entrance test for Running Start, work toward earning a General Education Degree (GED), or work on independent study credit to be transferred to Tahoma Senior High School for a high school diploma.
     
  3. Students planning on earning a Tahoma High School diploma must meet with a THS guidance counselor to determine how their Russell Ridge Center work will meet THS graduation requirements.

INDEPENDENT STUDY COURSES

Students must be enrolled full time in the Tahoma School District (full time Russell Ridge Center, or shared Russell Ridge Center and Tahoma Senior or Junior High) to be eligible to take independent study courses.

RRC currently has two sources of independent study courses, Brigham Young University (BYU) courses and APEX Learning online courses. Tahoma School District credit may be assigned through consultation with Susan Aigner and Tahoma Senior High School.

  • BYU offers a full curriculum of paper-based and online courses ranging from 7th grade to University level curriculum.  Courses are graded and credit is granted by BYU
  • APEX Learning provides web-based, digital curriculum for grades 6-12.  Curriculum includes Math, Science, English, Social Studies, and world languages.

Students are expected to complete independent study courses in a timely manner.  (For example, a course rated as a semester long should be completed in one semester.)  Exceptions need to be included in the student's WSLP.

HOURS OF INSTRUCTION

Washington State requires full time students to meet or exceed the following weekly instruction requirements:

Kindergarten = 10 hours per week

Grade 1 – 3 = 20 hours per week

Grade 4 – 12 = 25 hours per week

The hours indicated above include on and off-campus instruction.  For example, if your child is in 5th grade and spends 3 hours each week at RRC in classes, the WSLP would include 22 hours (or more) of time that you spend with your child on studies off campus. Some weeks you may do less (holidays, sickness, etc…) and some weeks you may do more, the WSLP will show a weekly estimate.  

Sign in and out – When you enter or leave the building, parents, siblings, and students MUST sign in and out at the front desk.  The on campus hours are tracked through our sign-in/out sheet.  The parents and siblings sign in for safety reasons and emergencies; we need to know who is here.  We have fire and earthquake drills that require us to have an accurate accounting of everyone in the building at any given time.  Parents must also indicate on the sign in sheet if they are responsible for children other than their own.

We ask that you please be punctual for the classes.  It seems the first class of the day suffers because of stragglers.

Attendance – State law mandates that parents call RRC when their students will be absent.  Students absent without an excuse will be marked truant. 

Students who do all of their work at home must make weekly direct two-way contact with an RRC certificated staff member.  Students who do not do this will be marked absent.

 If a student shows a pattern of truancy:

  1. Parent and certificated staff will meet to revise the WSLP and
  2. Student may be dropped from RRC; or
  3. Student may be referred to the District Truancy Board.

Calendar - We follow the Tahoma School District calendar.   If there is a school closure or delay due to weather conditions, we will follow the same schedule as the elementary schools in the district.  Check with RRC staff about our use of District In-Service days.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Student Responsibilities

  • To do my best work.
  • To care for my school by using material properly and keeping areas clean.
  • To be respectful toward all people.
  • To be in a supervised area at all times.
  • To sign in and out daily.
  • To come to all conferences with the RRC teacher adviser and my parent(s), if applicable.
  • To bring samples of my current work for my portfolio.
  • To ask questions when I do not understand something.
  • To return all RRC textbooks and curriculum at the end of the school year.

Parent Educator Responsibilities

  • To develop a Written Student Learning Plan for my student(s) and help him/her successfully complete that plan.
  • To provide adequate records of work accomplished.
  • To help in the classroom when requested by teachers and guest speakers.
  • To come to all conferences on time with samples of current work for my student’s portfolio.
  • To bring my students to class on time.
  • To sign in and out daily.
  • To supervise my student’s off campus work
  • It is important that you remain at school with your K-5th grade child.  If you cannot stay with your child, you will need to arrange, in advance, with another parent who will be responsible for your child should they need attention, or an emergency should arise.  Please make sure you have told your child and the RRC office before you leave who is watching over them!  Always leave a number where you can be reached.
  • To return all RRC textbooks and curriculum at the end of the school year.

Teacher Consultant Responsibilities

  • To assist and support parents and students in their pursuit of a quality education.
  • To assist the parent educator in developing a Written Student Learning Plan.
  • To document progress as outlined in the student’s WSLP, file current work in the student’s portfolio, and record successes and growth areas.
  • To keep accurate records in the school file and portfolio.
  • To schedule conferences with the parent and student.
  • To be available at scheduled times to answer questions and give help to students and parents outside of regular conferences.

BEHAVIOR

Student’s best behavior is expected at all times.  We need to respect other’s property and our learning and work environment.

We follow the Tahoma School District dress code.  A copy is available in the office.  

TECHNOLOGY

 Russell Ridge Center students have access to Tahoma School District computers and must abide by TSD computer use rules.  Rules include:  PCs to be used for school related internet access and other school projects; no checking personal e-mail, downloading games, or playing internet based games.  Students who break those rules can lose their computer use privileges.

Parents who do not want their students accessing the internet can sign a form documenting this decision.

RRC maintains a website through the District network.  We will ask you to sign a form granting your permission to post your child’s picture on the website.  We will not identify the students by name.

IMPORTANT BITS AND PIECES

  • Every family has a mailbox.  Check it each time you arrive at RRC.  Who knows what important treasure you may find!

  • Portable 8 contains our curriculum library, computer lab and space for parents and siblings to work while students are in class.

  • Our janitorial services are limited; please help keep our facility clean.  

  • ALL CD’s MUST BE PUT BACK IN THEIR CASES AND RETURNED TO THE SHELF.  Please check that your child has put his/her CD’s away.  Please help your child put away books and games at the end of their day.

  • Limited use of the copy machine is available to parents.  The copier is to be used for studies pertaining to the WSLP.  No other copying is permitted.  We are asking that you limit yourselves to 5-10 copies per day.

HOW YOU CAN HELP?

How you can help your child:

·        Ask about the State Academic Standards and how they will impact your child.

·        See how the curriculum you use at home meets or exceeds the standards and what types of evaluation methods will give you the best information for your child.  Learn what the expectations are for specific grade levels and how you can help meet learning objectives.

·        Ask lots of questions and get to know the staff.  Find out from your child’s teacher how you can work with your child to improve his or her skills.  Be aware of home-work requirements, class expectations and evaluation methods being used.

·        Take time daily to read to or with your child – read books, magazine, and newspapers.  Show your child that reading is important by modeling the activity yourself.

·        Find time to volunteer.  Even though you are on site with your child, there are a myriad of tasks that can be performed – working one-on-one with another student, helping in the library, chaperoning events, teaching or assisting a class, or helping in the office.  Our goal is to have every parent involved in the school each semester.

We look forward to working with you this year!

DISTRICT COPYRIGHT POLICY

Authorized Reproduction and Use of Copyrighted Material in Print:

In preparing for instruction, a teacher may make or have made a ‘single’ copy of:

    1. a chapter from a book
    1. an article from a newspaper or periodical
    1. a short story, short essay or short poem; or
    1. a chart, graph, diagram, drawing, cartoon or picture from a book, periodical or newspaper

Copyright Limitations:

The copyright law prohibits using copies to replace or substitute for anthologies, consumable works, compilations or collective works.  “Consumable” works include: workbooks, exercises, standardized tests, test booklets and answer sheets and the like.  Teachers cannot substitute copies for the purchase of books, publishers’ reprints or periodicals, nor can they repeatedly copy the same item from term-to-term.