HIGH
SCHOOL
POLICIES
Revised
Revisions in
Italics
STUDENT
DRESS GUIDELINES
Students are expected to exercise prudent judgment in the
selection of appropriate attire for school.
FOR SAFETY REASONS:
1.
No bare feet in the building.
2.
Teachers will establish appropriate guidelines for proper footwear
necessary for the safety of their classroom and work areas. (Shops,
gymnasium, science labs, etc.)
3.
Spiked jewelry, chains, or any jewelry that may cause injury or
constitute a hazard, are not permitted.
4.
No wallet chains.
5.
Length of pants must not go beyond the sole of the shoe and the
bottom of pant leg is a maximum of 26 inches in circumference.
6.
Baggy or excessively layered clothing that can conceal items
and/or poses a safety hazard is not permitted.
7.
Long hair needs to be secured while working near machinery and lab
situations.
8.
Loose clothing needs to be secured while working near machinery
and lab situations.
9.
Anything else that can be deemed a safety hazard.
OTHER ATTIRE WHICH DOES NOT MEET COMMUNITY STANDARDS:
1.
No clothes with explicit, suggestive or vulgar language or
symbols.
2.
No clothes with alcohol, tobacco or drug pictures, symbols or
wording.
3.
No clothes with pictures, symbols or words that can be perceived
as sexually harassing or gender demeaning.
4.
Coats, jackets or garments designed for protection from the
weather are not to be worn in school.
5.
Pants, shorts, skirts, and skorts must
be secured at the waist, no lower. Sag
style is not permitted.
6.
Undergarments should not be exposed in any way. However, if a buttoned shirt is worn over a
T-shirt, then the T-shirt is not considered an undergarment. A buttoned shirt need not be buttoned if the
shirt worn underneath covers at least 3 inches of the shoulder (as per #15).
7.
All shorts, skirts, skorts and top of
slits in skirts must touch the bottom of the fingertips with arms fully
extended.
8.
Book bags are permissible to carry to school but shall be stored
in student locker during the school day.
Book bags are not permitted to be carried to class, cafeteria, or any
other areas of the school building during the school day.
9.
Body piercing other than ears is not permitted to be worn in
school.
10.
Hats, scarves and/or bandanas,
sunglasses, visors, and sweatbands are not permitted to be worn in school by
male and/or female.
11.
Any apparel that is judged to be unhealthy or unsanitary (e.g.,
clothing that is dirty and/or gives off a foul odor) is not permitted.
12.
Each student is to maintain good personal hygiene.
13.
No ripped clothes or clothes with large exposed holes.
14.
No mesh/see-through tops unless a shirt is worn underneath.
15.
All shirts must cover the shoulder. This pertains to male and female. No halter-tops, spaghetti straps, tank tops,
muscle shirts, tube tops, or other skimpy attire is permitted. No midriffs are to be exposed in the standing
or sitting position. Sleeveless shirts
and dresses are permitted if shoulders are covered by clothing of at least 3
inches in width (at its narrowest point).
Bra straps should be covered at all times. Underarm sleeve openings should not gap open
to expose undergarments or chest.
16.
No body suits, spandex or skintight outfits of any kind unless
covered with another layer of non-form fitting clothing.
Any District personnel can address
the dress code with the student and will send the student to the office if a
final judgment is to be made by the principal.
1.
Steps will be taken to correct the situation whether the article
of clothing is changed, removed, altered or covered.
2.
Discipline steps to be followed:
1st offense – written
warning
2nd offense –
writing assignment
3rd offense -
detention
3.
Persistent violations will result in suspension.
However complete these rules may
be, they can never cover all possible situations that may arise. If a matter cannot be resolved by
interpreting the rules above to the letter, then the solution to be adopted by
those responsible shall lie in a principle which follows as nearly as possible
the spirit of the rules.
ATTENDANCE
Attendance in school is a good
example of the connections of time and learning. Just as homework exemplifies learning,
regular attendance exposes students to a greater amount of academic content and
instruction. They have found that poor
school attendance usually reflects poor job attendance. Studies have shown that too many missed days
of school result in too many missed opportunities to learn, and can result in
failure, dropping out, or both.
GENERAL RULES
IF YOU ARE ABSENT OR LATE –
Students have three (3) days to bring in an excuse card signed by their
parent/guardian. Excuse cards are provided by the school district. Each excuse
is evaluated and a decision is made as to it being excused or unexcused.
Excused reasons include: personal illness, medical appointments, family
emergencies, impassable roads, or death involving immediate family. A student
who fails to bring in a written excuse within three (3) school days following
the absence will be marked as unexcused/illegal. After three (3) days of
unexcused/illegal absence, the student will be denied permission to make up
assignments or tests missed. This
includes unexcused early dismissals. if a student is
tardy three (3) times during a 20-day period, he/she will be assigned
detention.
When the
unexcused/illegal absence results from the failure to return a properly signed
excuse card, the student will be permitted to make up any work missed. However,
the student will be subject to the following discipline.
1st offense – 1 detention
2nd offense – 2 detentions
3rd offense – assigned to
school behavior room
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY FOR WRITTEN
EXCUSES:
1. When returning to school after being absent,
students are to bring a written excuse using a school provided absence card,
signed by a parent or guardian, stating the exact reason why and the date(s)
for the absence. Regardless of the student’s age, all students residing with
parents or legal guardians must have an excuse signed by the parent or legal
guardian.
2. Bring the excuse to the Attendance Officer
sitting in the music room prior to homeroom period.
3. Students reporting to school following the
beginning of homeroom period are to bring the excuse card to the Attendance
Officer in the high school main office.
4. Students will receive an absent/tardy form
that is to be shown to their homeroom and classroom teachers prior to being
readmitted to class.
5. It is the student’s responsibility to make
sure the excuse card is received at the Attendance Office.
6. After the third day of absence, parents or
guardians are requested to notify the Main Office as to the nature of the
illness. At that time, you may request the student’s homework assignments for
the past excused absences.
It is the student’s responsibility to make up
all work missed during an absence. All work will be made up within a period of
time proportional to days absent. Daily homework assignment may be found on this
website by clicking on the Academic Assignments and Department News link on the top left hand side
of this page.
WHAT CONSTITUTES ½ DAY
Arriving
after
Leaving
before
Absent
during school day for more than 2 hours
IF YOUR ABSENCES
INDICATES A PATTERN/EXCESSIVE ABSENSES:
Over
8 days – a warning letter will be sent home.
After
12 days –
You will
be required to submit a doctor’s excuse for each absence. Each day of absence without a doctor’s excuse
is determined to be unexcused upon
review of the administration on a case by case basis.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU GET MORE THAN 3 DAYS OF
UNEXCUSED/ILLEGAL ABSENCE
If you are under age 17 – The
District can exercise any or all of the following options:
1.
A warning letter will be mailed to your parents/guardian advising
them that the next unexcused (illegal) absence can result in notice to the
magistrate.
2.
Notice which will result in an appearance before the magistrate
with the accompanying fine.
3.
Referral will be made to Children and Youth Services.
If you are over age 17 – The
District can exercise any or all of the following options:
1.
You will be notified after 3 days of unexcused absences.
3.
Student will be dropped from the rolls.
DAILY
SCHEDULE –
ARRIVAL TO SCHOOL
– Students arriving before
FIELD TRIPS
If a student exceeds
five (5) days of absences (excused or unexcused) prior to a field trip they may
be denied leaving school for a field trip. Permission slips must be signed by
parent/guardian before a student is permitted to leave for a field trip.
Parents are reminded to be on time when picking students up at the designated time set from a field trip.
VACATION TIME
The number
of different types of trips per year is not to exceed 2. The number of days is not to exceed 7 per
year.
During
vacation time, students will be permitted to make up any missed work/tests.
Vacation
days are granted with very little restrictions.
Procedure:
Write a letter to the principal requesting the vacation days. Include pertinent
information such as dates, where vacation is planned and that student will be
accompanied by an adult. Student will then be given a letter of approval that
student can use to notify his/her teacher to make arrangements to get
assignments and make up work. If a
parent/student applies for a vacation leave after the fact, their days will be
considered as unexcused/illegal.
LEAVING SCHOOL
Students
must present a note from parents/guardian in the morning requesting dismissal,
giving time of departure and reason. Some parent requests may be deemed
personal and would be unexcused.
Students
are not permitted to leave school without gaining permission from the nurse or
office. Doing so would be considered as
leaving school without permission.
Students
need to report to the office or nurse’s office if not feeling well. If a student spends time in the restroom
without reporting to the nurse or office, this will be considered as skipping
class.
Students
may leave school for dentist appointments, doctor appointments, family
emergencies, funerals, or other principal approved requests. (Written permission from a parent, legal
guardian, or designated school official is required.)
Students
may not leave school for hair appointments, tuxedo rentals, or unapproved
prom-related activities.
LATE TO CLASS OR SCHOOL
It is
important to arrive promptly to school and class. Failure to do so for unexcused reasons will
result with the following actions based on cumulative tardiness:
1.
Each student is allowed 3 unexcused lates
to school and 3 unexcused lates to class.
2.
4-6 offenses can result in up to 6 hours detention.
3.
Anything over 6 lates indicates habitual
offender and may result in suspension.
If discipline by detention has/has not been done, suspension may still
be assigned.
4.
Continued excessive lateness to school or class can result in
referrals to Children and Youth Services, referrals can be made to District
Magistrate, can require a medical excuse.
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE INCLUDING EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES:
Student
shall attend school in order to participate or attend practice and games that
day.
1.
Students must have entered school by
2.
If a student leaves school due to illness in the afternoon, the
student is ineligible to attend/participate that evening.
3.
If a student leaves on the last day of a school week, the student
is ineligible for any weekend contests.
4.
A student may be permitted to attend practice/games or participate
in extra-curricular events and be absent from school or arrive following
5.
Cannot participate in or attend any school-related function after
school if not in school that day. If student does, the day is considered
unexcused.
6.
If absence considered unexcused a student will not be permitted to
participate in extra-curricular activities.
HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY POLICY
1. All students entering the library will
be admitted by pass only. The pass is to
be left at the desk upon entering and is to be picked up, properly signed when
leaving.
2. The student pass must be completed:
Full name, date, from and to, period, use of the library, time left study hall
and teacher permission. Students will be
sent back to study hall if passes are incomplete.
3. Each student must sign
his/her name and time on the sign-in sheet located at the desk and sign the
time returning to study hall. Teachers
check passes on return to study hall.
4.
Each study hall is to permit a maximum of five students at a time
to the library. When a student returns to study hall another may then have
library privileges. (Release students individually to cut down on hall
noise). Students should have good reason
to come to the library.
5.
Special pink reference passes issued by classroom teachers are to
be honored first. Other passes (white)
will be issued by the study hall teacher.
6.
Students just getting or returning a book or reading magazines are
to return to study hall before the end of the period. (Getting a book should take only 15-20
minutes). Magazines readers should leave
individually. Only students on pink
reference passes may bring textbooks
and other materials to the library.
7.
The library is not to be used for doing homework and no student
needs library services every day or every other period.
8.
Students with pink passes will remain the entire period and go to
their next class from the library. Their
passes will be kept by the librarian.
The pink reference pass must have the signatures of the teacher
assigning the work as well as the study hall teacher’s signature.
9.
Checking Out Books:
a.
Books are checked out for two weeks and renewed for two or more
weeks, unless someone else is seeking the use of the same book. Renewal may be denied.
b.
Reference books do not circulate without the librarian’s
permission. Their circulation is limited
to overnight use and pickup at end of the day.
c.
A fine of ten cents per book per day will be charged for overdue
books.
d.
Books may be checked out or returned in the morning or between
classes.
e.
Lost or damaged books will be charged to the students and the
money paid to the librarian for replacement copies.
f.
Current magazines are to be used in the library. Back issues may go out but will be handled as
reference materials with only overnight use.
10.
All students are to check with the librarian for use of the conference room. The librarian’s office (workroom) and the AV
rooms are off limits to students.
11.
Loafing in the library is not permitted. Loafers will be returned to study halls. Anyone defacing library property or causing a
disturbance will be returned to study hall and lose library privileges for a
week or longer.
12.
No locker passes or office passes will be issued from the
library. Rest room passes will be issued
only in extreme emergency.
13.
Be respectful and on your best behavior when visiting the library
and keep in mind that the library is open to large class groups as well as
individuals from study halls. If the librarian is busy plan accordingly and get
your work done quietly. Ask for help and wait your turn if you are in need of
assistance. Students should share library materials whenever possible if other
students are waiting for them. Allow
enough time to return to study hall before bell rings.
14.
Library cards are each person’s responsibility. Do not loan your card to anyone.
15.
Each person will retain his/her assigned card number from grade 7
through 12. Lost library cards are to be
reported to the librarian. A replacement
card costs $1.00.
16. Students must have a pass to enter the library
and must have their cards to check out any materials.
17. Food, candy, snacks, and drink are prohibited
in the library.
STUDENT VEHICLE POLICY
Students who desire to use transportation other than school buses
(automobiles, motorbikes, bicycles, etc) must first get permission from the
administration. To obtain permission the
student must:
1.
Secure a vehicle registration form from the office. Forms are to be completed and returned to the
office during the 1st week of school.
2.
List other students that will be riding with the driver.
The rules that follow govern student vehicles:
1.
Student vehicles are to be parked only in the area designated for
them.
2.
Students are not permitted to go to or move their vehicles during
the school day without permission from the office.
3.
The speed limit on school property is 15 miles per hour.
4.
Only licensed motor driven vehicles are permitted on school
property.
5. Any
indication of unsafe, reckless, or discourteous driving may
result in suspension and /or revocation of driving privileges. (Spinning Tires)
6.
All vehicles are subject to searches by school officials, law
enforcement agencies, and police canine units.
7. Driving privileges may be
suspended for excessive tardiness, absences, and poor academic performance.
8. The school is not
responsible for theft, vandalism to automobiles, or their contents.
9. Students are not permitted
to sit in cars for any reason. The
student is expected to vacate and lock his/her vehicle upon arrival at school
and to report into the building.
10.
Students are required to park between the yellow
lines. (Designated Parking Spot)
The school considers the use of an automobile to be one of the
most serious responsibilities assumed by students in the school. Therefore, all rules are expected to be
obeyed and will be strictly enforced.
STUDENT CONDUCT
SCHOOL BOARD POLICY –
SELF-DISCIPLINE
One of the
basic educational objectives is the development of self-discipline in
students. Towards this end all students
are encouraged to demonstrate acceptable behavior patterns in their personal
conduct, student-peer relations, relations with
adults, grooming and dress. Whenever
behavior patterns disrupt the learning climate of the school or the safety and
welfare of individuals, it shall become a matter of administrative action involving
the student and/or parent or guardian.
Effective
discipline serves two purposes. First,
it prevents the recurrence of a particular misbehavior in a student. Second, it is a learning experience for the
student, permitting him or her to see why certain rules have been made and why
they must be followed.
Our school
disciplinary policy, at minimum, has three objectives in mind:
1.
Preserving the kind of environment needed for effective
teaching.
2.
Dealing with disorderly conduct in a consistent way that corrects
students’ behavior while keeping them in school.
3.
Using out-of-school suspension or expulsion only as a last resort
and only when the other students’ education is significantly affected.
For these objectives to be met in
school, the student must learn basic discipline guidelines from both the school
and the home. Discipline must be
looked upon as important and necessary by the student, the parent, and the
school.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
1. Please do not run in the halls or on the
stairs.
2. Students shall be in school/class on time
and ready to
learn.
3. Do not linger in the halls between classes.
4. Teachers have authority in all areas of the
school and
school
grounds. Not following their
instructions is
considered
as general defiance of authority.
5. We all have individual rights, however, we
have a
responsibility
not to infringe upon the rights of
others…(damage
to student property, distracting or
disruptive
behavior which interferes with another
student’s
right to learn).
6. While in school, students shall not fight,
possess or
use tobacco products, use or possess alcoholic drinks
and use or possess illegal drugs.
7. Treat fellow students and other persons with
respect.
Do not use
obscene or foul language in word or in
writing.
A SAMPLE OF THE SPECIFIC ACTIONS FOR VIOLATION OF GENERAL RULES:
First of
all, some students believe that punishment is an attack of their character or
personality. This is not true. A student is corrected for some conduct that
is not deemed appropriate. Once the
corrective action is administered and served, the issue is settled. Corrective action is to serve as a deterrent. Its purpose is to tell a student that “your
behavior in this particular incident was not accepted, and correct the behavior
and you will get along well.”
NOTE: Any out-of school suspended student may
not attend or participate in any school function until the last day of assigned
suspension is served.
FIGHTING
Any student who is involved in a
disagreement with another person is advised to seek the assistance of a
Guidance Counselor, Administrator, or teacher in an attempt to resolve a
problem rationally before a fight occurs.
DEFINITIONS
FIGHT – Any situation in which student
actions or inactions may be deemed to have caused or contributed to a physical
confrontation including, but not limited to, hitting or other actions in which
physical contact is made and/or situations in which one or both students have
sustained physical injury.
DISORDERLY CONDUCT – A
person is guilty of disorderly conduct if, with intent to cause public
inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof, he/she:
1.
Engages in fighting or threatening, or in a violent or tumultuous
behavior:
2.
Makes unreasonable noise;
3.
Uses obscene language, or makes an obscene gesture; or any act
which serves no legitimate purpose of the actor.
HARASSMENT – A person commits a
summary offense when, with intent to harass, annoy or alarm another person: