2026 Updated Laws and Policies
1. House Bill 402 — Food Additives in Schools
What is HB 402?
Utah House Bill 402 establishes new requirements regarding certain food additives in foods provided to students at public schools. The law is intended to reduce students’ exposure to specific additives while they are at school.
What does this mean at Rosecrest?
Rosecrest Elementary will follow state and district requirements regarding foods provided or sold to students during the school day. Families may notice changes to some foods, treats, snacks, or other consumable items available through school.
The law includes specific exceptions, so not every food brought onto school property is treated the same way.
Key Takeaways for Families
- School-provided foods must comply with the new requirements.
- Some ingredients and food products previously available at school may no longer be offered.
- School and district procedures will guide staff when food is provided to students.
- Families will be informed when school procedures affect classroom celebrations, activities, or other events involving food.
Our Goal
We want to make implementation simple for families while keeping our focus where it belongs—creating a healthy, positive environment for students.
2. New Visitor Safety Protocols
Helping Keep Our School Safe
The safety of our students and staff is one of our highest priorities. This year, families and visitors may notice updated procedures for entering and visiting Rosecrest Elementary.
What should visitors expect?
All visitors should enter the school through the designated main entrance and check in with the front office before entering other areas of the building.
Depending on the purpose of the visit, visitors may be asked to provide identification and complete the school’s visitor check-in process.
Key Takeaways for Families
- Please enter through the school’s main entrance.
- Check in at the office each time you visit during the school day.
- Be prepared to provide a valid photo ID when requested.
- Wear any visitor identification provided by the office.
- Please do not enter classrooms or other areas of the school without checking in first.
- Follow staff directions during drills, emergencies, or other safety situations.
Why does this matter?
Even when staff members know a parent or visitor personally, consistently following the same procedures helps us maintain a secure school environment.
Thank you for helping us keep Rosecrest safe!
Be Responsible. Be Safe. Be Kind.
3. HB 273 — Classroom Technology
Balanced Technology Use in the Classroom
Technology can be a powerful learning tool—but it should be used intentionally. Utah House Bill 273 establishes new expectations for how technology and artificial intelligence are used in Utah public school classrooms.
What does the law do?
HB 273 directs the Utah State Board of Education to develop model policies for balanced classroom technology use and artificial intelligence. It also establishes requirements for technology use at specific grade levels and adds AI learning to Utah’s computer science standards.
What does this mean at Rosecrest?
At the elementary level, the law places particular emphasis on balancing digital learning with developmentally appropriate, non-digital learning experiences.
At Rosecrest, technology will continue to be a tool for learning—not the learning itself.
Students will continue to experience rich learning through:
- Teacher-led instruction
- Reading, writing and discussion
- Hands-on learning
- Collaboration and problem solving
- Arts-integrated instruction
- Purposeful use of digital tools
Key Takeaways for Families
- Student technology use should have a clear instructional purpose.
- Younger students will have additional limitations on classroom technology use.
- Teachers will balance screen-based activities with hands-on, collaborative and teacher-directed learning.
- Schools and districts will develop policies for appropriate classroom use of artificial intelligence.
- Students will learn about appropriate and responsible uses of AI as they progress through school.
The Rosecrest Approach
We believe technology is most powerful when teachers intentionally choose the right tool for the learning goal.
4. SB 241 — Early Literacy
Supporting Strong Readers
Strong reading skills create a foundation for learning across every subject. Utah’s Senate Bill 241 updates the state’s approach to early literacy and reading achievement.
What does SB 241 change?
One important change is how Utah defines a student as reading on grade level.
Under the updated definition, students who score at or above benchmark on the end-of-year Acadience Reading assessment are considered to be reading on grade level.
What does this mean at Rosecrest?
Rosecrest will continue using Acadience Reading and other assessment information to understand student progress, identify strengths and determine where students may need additional instruction or support.
An assessment is one piece of information about a child. Teachers use multiple sources of information when making instructional decisions.
Key Takeaways for Families
- Utah has updated its definition of reading on grade level.
- End-of-year Acadience Reading results are an important measure of early literacy.
- Students scoring at or above benchmark meet the state’s reading-on-grade-level definition.
- Teachers will continue monitoring student reading growth throughout the year.
- Students needing additional support will receive targeted instruction based on their needs.
- Families are important partners in developing strong, confident readers.
Our Rosecrest Goal
We want every student to see themselves as a capable reader and continue making meaningful reading growth each year.
Read together. Talk about books. Ask questions. Celebrate growth.
5. Rosecrest PBIS
Positive Behavior at Rosecrest
We Choose to Be Responsible. Be Safe. And Always Be Kind.
At Rosecrest, we believe students thrive when expectations are clear, consistent and taught with the same intentionality as academic skills.
Our updated Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) framework creates a schoolwide approach for teaching, practicing and recognizing positive behavior.
Our Rosecrest Expectations
BE RESPONSIBLE
Take ownership of your learning, choices and actions.
BE SAFE
Make choices that keep yourself and others physically and emotionally safe.
BE KIND
Treat others with respect, empathy and care.
Students will learn what these expectations look like, sound like and feel like in different areas of our school.
Key Takeaways for Families
- Expectations are explicitly taught—not simply assumed.
- Students practice expectations in classrooms and common areas.
- Staff use common language throughout the school.
- Positive choices and growth are recognized and celebrated.
- When mistakes occur, students are supported in reflecting, learning and making a better choice.
- Families can reinforce the same language at home.
Try It at Home
Ask your child:
“How were you responsible, safe or kind today?”
Using the same language at school and home helps our students understand that positive behavior isn’t just a school expectation—it’s part of being a strong member of a community.
Together, we make Rosecrest a place where everyone belongs.
6. Rosecrest Online Calendar
Stay Connected with Rosecrest
Our Monthly Calendar Is Online!
There’s a lot happening at Rosecrest! Our online calendar is one of the easiest ways for families to stay informed throughout the school year.
What will you find?
Visit the Rosecrest calendar regularly for information about:
- School events
- Family activities
- PTA events
- No-school days
- School performances
- Assemblies and celebrations
- Important deadlines
- Special activities
- Other Rosecrest happenings
Why use the online calendar?
School schedules sometimes change. Using the online calendar allows families to access the most current information rather than relying on an older printed calendar.
Key Takeaways for Families
BOOKMARK IT
Save the Rosecrest calendar on your phone or computer.
CHECK IT
Take a quick look at the beginning of each week.
STAY CONNECTED
Watch school communications for updates or changes.
Additional Policies and Procedures
Bullying
Not only is bullying mean, it is against the law. In all cases of bullying, students will receive appropriate consequences and parents will be contacted. Students are expected to be safe, respectful, responsible, and nice. If students feel bullied, they need to report it to an adult they trust.
Telephone use
Student may use the phone for illness or other school related reasons. Students must have a teacher issued pass.
Personal items from home
All personal items should be marked, including coats, lunch containers and backpacks. Toys & games are to be left at home. Students should NOT bring radios, CD players or I-pods. Also, bats weapons, or play look alike weapons, (refer to the District’s SAFE SCHOOL POLICY) to school.
School dress
Students tend to behave the way they are dressed. Students apparel should be safe, modest, clean and appropriate. Clothing promoting drugs, tobacco, alcohol, or inappropriate illustration or language are PROHIBITED.
Illness and medication
Children who are ill should not be in school. Students who become ill should not be in school. Students who become ill during the school day will need to be picked up by the parent or some other person that is listed on the registration card. Students will only be released to authorized persons.
No medication of ANY KIND will be administered at school without a signed statement from the doctor and parent. These forms can be picked up at the office or at most doctor’s offices. Medications must be in the original prescription container and DELIVERED TO THE SCHOOL BY THE PARENT.
Drugs and alcohol
State law mandates specific action for school officials when any suspicion of drug related activity is brought to the school grounds. The school will follow all state and District regulations on the matter.
Emergencies and disasters
In case of an emergency that causes disruption of services, students will REMAIN AT SCHOOL under teacher direction and control. Relocation to a secondary site will NOT be done except as deemed absolutely necessary.
During any emergency the TELEPHONE becomes INEFFICIENT. Tune into the local RADIO STATIONS for information that will be in communication with the district at all times.
Student behavioral programs
Students are expected to follow the discipline plan of the school and their classrooms at all times. Positive reinforcement will be given to students demonstrating appropriate behavior. Opportunities to correct unacceptable behavior are included in the school/class discipline plans. We will communicate with parents regarding students behavior.
Lost or damaged books and equipment
Students will be held accountable for all library and textbooks checked out to them. They are expensive and will need to be replaced. Property damaged through negligence or intent will also be repaired or replaced by the student. Students who demonstrate the inability to care for books/text appropriately may lose the privilege of taking them off school grounds.
Bicycles and scooters
Students may use these modes of transportation to get to and leave school, as long as they are locked up on the bike racks. They cannot use them in school or during school hours. Once on school grounds they must use extra caution.
No skateboards or rollerblades
Inclement weather
- All students are expected to arrive at school dressed appropriately for the weather. All students will go outside at recess times. The office will announce inside days.
- Each teacher or grade level will develop contingency plans for inside days. The expectation is that students will be supervised by at least one teacher. The students are to work quietly on activities provided by the teacher.
- Notes from parents for students to stay inside will be honored. However, this privilege is for short periods of recuperation. Notes should not be for more than 2 to 3 days.
Visitors and volunteers must check in with the office
Visitors are welcome. Volunteers are NEEDED & WELCOMED. District policy requires all visitors and volunteers to check in at the office before entering the classes or school activities during the school day. All visitors and volunteers must obtain a VISITORS PASS from the office. Friends and relatives cannot attend classes with students.
Attendance
All students are required to attend school and to be on time. Students need to report to the office if they are late. The office will contact parents about excessive absences or tardies. Tardies are recorded along with absences.
Dismissal of students
Students going home for any reason must be cleared and signed out through the office, if it is before their regular dismissal time.
Field trips
Parents must sign a permission slip. Students will not be allowed to participate unless we have permission in writing.
Grading
The grading policy is found on the official report card for Granite School District. If you have any questions, please talk to your child’s teacher about his/her grading policy.
Hours for students
Students are not to be detained after school unless arrangements have been made by contacting the parents for permission to do so. Documentation of this contact needs to remain on file at the school. Students should not be at school earlier than 7:50, unless there is an activity.
Lunchroom policy
Students must be on their best behavior in the lunchroom. Students who are taking hot lunch need to pay for it in the morning of the first day of each week. You are welcome to pay a week, month, or year at a time. Have your student deposit their lunch money at the office in the lunch payment box. The cost this year is $1.50 for full cost and $.40 for reduced. If your student wants to buy milk, it is $.30. If you are interested in paying by credit card, there is information at the office. The program is called Paypams (it does take a couple days to set up your account). If your student runs out of lunch money, Granite District Policy states that we will notify parents. Parents, please keep track of lunches on the calendar. Call the school before 2:00 pm if you need information concerning your student’s lunch account.
Electronic devices policy
Electronic devices, including cell phones, are not allowed at school. If they are seen during the school day, they will be confiscated and must be picked up by a parent or guardian. The school is not responsible for any lost or stolen items. Students may check in their electronic devices to the office in the morning and retrieve them after school.
