OSKALOOSA JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL

2007-2008

STUDENT/PARENT Handbook

 

 

 

 

 

SCHOOL SONG                                               PHONE NUMBERS

Hail to thee, old Oskie High School,                              Sr. High office (9-12)ÉÉÉ............ 863-2281

lift your banners high,                                                            Superintendent officeÉ...................863-2539

keep your colors floating higher                                      Elementary officeÉ.........................863-2254

to the vaulted sky.                                                                    Jr. High office (7-8)..........................863-3237

Never, never, fail nor falter, ever                                      District Fax.......................................863-3080

dare and do.                                                                                High School Fax..............................863-3106

Be to dear old Oskie High School                                   HS Toll Free...............................877-750-8059

loyal, brave, and true.                                                            

                                                                                                           

                                                                                                            School Colors:  Red and Blue

                                                                                                            School Mascot:  Bears

 

                  Principal:                                                                   Assistant Principal/Activities Director:

             Douglas Beisel                                                                                              Mike Barbo

 

                                   

      ATTITUDE IS A LITTLE THING THAT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE.

 

 

 

Table of Contents

                                                                                         

Activities/Activity Funds                                                                                           pg. 19

Activity and Field Trips                                                                                               pg. 18

Affirmative Action                                                                                                         pg. 3

Alternative Educational Setting (AES)                                                             pg. 12

Announcements                                                                                                          pg. 6

Athletic Insurance                                                                                                        pg. 14

Attendance                                                                                                                      pg. 7

Building Hours                                                                                                               pg. 3

Cancellation of School                                                                                              pg. 19

Content of Records                                                                                                    pg. 14

Discipline Policy                                                                                                            pg. 12

Dress and Appearance                                                                                             pg. 13

Drug Free School/Drug Policy                                                                              pg. 11

Eligibility                                                                                                                             pg. 6

Enrollment and Course Description                                                                  pg. 4

Equal Rights                                                                                                                    pg. 3

Friday Night School                                                                                                     pg. 12

Grading System                                                                                                                               pg. 5

Graduation/ Early                                                                                                          pg. 4

Graduation Exercises                                                                                                 pg. 4

Graduation Requirements                                                                                       pg. 4

Health Records                                                                                                              pg. 14

Honor Roll                                                                                                                         pg. 5

Lockers and Personal Property                                                                           pg. 13

Media Center                                                                                                                  pg. 6

Medication/ Distribution Policy                                                                             pg. 14

Mission Statement USD#341/Oskaloosa High School                          pg. 3

Out-of-School Suspension                                                                                    pg. 12

Portable Electronic Devices                                                                                   pg. 14

Release Time                                                                                                                  pg. 9

Safety                                                                                                                                  pg. 15

School Lunch Program                                                                                             pg. 6

Search and Seizure                                                                                                    pg. 12

Student Conduct and Discipline                                                                         pg. 9

Student Obligations                                                                                                   pg. 6

Student Parking Privileges                                                                                     pg. 13

Student Supervision                                                                                                  pg. 17

Tardies                                                                                                                                pg. 9

Telephone/Use of and Cell Phones                                                                 pg. 18

Textbooks                                                                                                                        pg. 6

Tobacco Use and Possession of                                                                                          pg. 11

Transportation                                                                                                                pg. 15

Trip Expenses                                                                                                                pg. 18

Valedictorian/Salutatorian                                                                                       pg. 6

Visitors at School                                                                                                          pg. 18

Vocational Educational Placement                                                                    pg. 5

Weapons                                                                                                                           pg. 11

Withdrawal from School                                                                                            pg. 18

 

 

MISSION STATEMENT OF USD #341

 

Oskaloosa schools mission is to inspire every student to become a passionate, purposeful and concerned learner.

 

Vision

 

Outstanding Personal Student Success

 

Belief Statements

 

l.                Education is the foundation of a democratic society.

2.              All students will succeed in unique and different ways.

3.              All Oskaloosa graduates will have mastered certain essential skills.

4.              Our schools promote skills for life-long learning.

5.              Our school provide a sequential, aligned curriculum.

6.              Our schools are committed to effective staff development that results in student improvement.

7.              Technology plays a major role in our society.

8.              Our school provides a nurturing learning environment.

9.              Visionary leadership enhances school success.

10.           Students, families, community and our school share responsibility as educational partners.

11.           Discipline, hard work, respect and honesty are essential components of a successful life.

 

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

 

                  The Oskaloosa School District has the responsibility for preparing students for active and constructive participation in a society which is culturally diverse.  Cultural diversity is understood to mean diversity in sex, race, ethnic background and religious beliefs.

                  Any student or employee of this district who believes she/he has been discriminated against in any district education program or activity may file a written complaint.  An investigation will be conducted and a written response will be mailed to the complainant within ten working days after receipt of the written complaint.  A copy of the written complaint along with the superintendent's response shall be provided to each member of the school board.  If the complainant is not satisfied with such response, she/ he may submit a written appeal to the board of education indicating with particularity the nature of disagreement with the response and his or her reasons underlying such disagreement.

                  The board shall consider the appeal at its next regularly scheduled board meeting following receipt of the response.

EQUAL RIGHTS

 

            All students attending USD. #341, Oskaloosa Public School, Kansas, may participate in education programs and activities, including but not limited  to health, physical education, music and vocational and technical education, regardless of race, color, national origin, age, handicap, or sex.

                  Unified School District #341, Oskaloosa Public Schools, does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, handicap, or age in admission or access to, or treatment, or employment in, it's programs or activities.  Any questions regarding the School's compliance with Title VI, Title IX, or Section 504 may be directed to the Title IX Coordinator, who can be reached at (785) 863-2539, 404 Park St.  Oskaloosa, Kansas 66066, or the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education.

 

BUILDING HOURS

 

                  Students should make an effort not to be on school grounds before 7:30A.M. unless arrangements have been made with a cooperating faculty member.  All students not involved in co-curricular activities should leave the building by 4:00 PM each day unless being directly supervised by a cooperating  faculty member.  Students should not loiter in the parking lot.  Once you arrive on campus, you are to immediately come into the HS building.  Classes will begin at 8:25 A.M.  and end at 3:40 P.M.  Office hours are from 7:30 A.M.  to 4:00 P.M.

 

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

 

Graduation requirements for Oskaloosa High School  are:

 

1.     Four units of Language Arts.  Three of the credits must be English.  Students are required to take                             English all four years.

2.     Three credits of Social Studies, including one credit of American History and one credit of American               Government.

3.    Three credits of Science.

4.     Three credits of Mathematics.

5.     One credit of Physical Education.

6.     One credit of Fine Arts. The 2008 graduating class would be the first class with this requirement.

7.     Additional electives for a total of 24 credits.

 

These are minimum requirements for graduation from Oskaloosa.  Colleges, the military, businesses, trade and technical schools recommend that you take additional course work.

                 

GRADUATION EXERCISES

 

                  All students who have completed the requirements for graduation are entitled to participate in graduation exercises unless participation is denied because the student is under disciplinary action at the time of graduation.  Students must be in attendance at graduation practice to participate in graduation activities.  Considerations may be made for extenuating circumstances. 

ALL DEBTS OWED THE SCHOOL MUST BE PAID BEFORE PARTICIPATION.

 

                  Participation in the Graduation Exercise is limited to those students who have completed all graduation requirements listed above. 

 

EARLY GRADUATION

 

                  Students completing requirements for graduation before the end of the last semester of any school year will be allowed to take part in the next regularly scheduled graduation exercises.  Procedures are as follows:

 

1.              Requests to take part in these exercises must be made no later than two weeks after the beginning of second semester.  The request should be made in writing to the principal.

2.              Early graduates must attend all scheduled practices and rehearsals for  these exercises.

3.              Early graduates must wear a cap and gown matching those of the rest of the Class.

4.              Students planning to graduate early will be socially and academically considered seniors during the last school year they attend.

 

ENROLLMENT AND COURSE DESCRIPTION

 

                  It is possible to take eight credits of study in a regular school year.  Freshmen will have a number of courses they must take, and therefore elective courses must be selected very carefully. 

                  More elective courses are available for upper level students.  Each student is encouraged to consult with her/his parents concerning the selection of courses.  The guidance counselor will be available to help students and parents in making their selections.

                  Oskaloosa Public Schools are determined to ensure the best education possible for our students.  We believe students must be in continuous enrollment in core areas of mathematics, science, English, and social studies.  Technical school enrollment satisfies the mathematics/science core requirement once a student has met graduation requirements in math and science from OHS.

                  Co-curricular activities are very important to the success of some students.  Activity  programs offered are of a wide variety and should assist in meeting the needs of the individual students.

                  Students may enroll in one learning lab or one aide position per semester.  The aide position is not meant to be considered a class but rather an alternative to learning lab.  The aide position is one-half credit for one full year not to exceed two credits toward graduation requirements.  The only exception to this will be as a result of scheduling conflicts, with the approval of the principal .

                 

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PLACEMENT

 

                  The placement of all vocational education students shall be approved by the high school principal.   A student who is dropped from the vocational/technical school during a semester will be allowed to finish high school courses already enrolled in, but not be able to enroll in additional course work.   Students will be required to ride the bus to and from vo-tech.

 

                                                                        GRADING SYSTEM

 

            The criteria used in determining a student's grades are scholarship, attitudes, initiative, and individual improvement.  The following marks are used:

 

                  A= 90-100%  Excellent  B= 80-89%  Good                  C=70-79%  Average             

                  D= 60-69%  Passing       F= 59 and below  Failure       I  Incomplete   

                  WD  Withdrawn

 

                  Pluses and minuses (+ and - ) may be used to indicate further academic achievement.

 

                  Incomplete grades must be made up within 10 days after the end of the grading period, unless special arrangements are made.  After 10 days, an incomplete is considered an F by the High School Activities Association in determining semester eligibility.

                   Grade cards will be given or mailed to students on a day designated by the principal.  A cumulative card will be issued after each grading period.  It is not necessary to return these cards to the school.

HONOR ROLL

   

     An "Honor Roll" will be determined on a 4.0 scale.

     A = 4.0     B = 3.0     C = 2.0     D = 1.0     F = 0.0

 

            Honor rolls will be determined for each quarter and each semester.  Three honor rolls have been established:

   

                  Principal's Honor Roll:   4.00 GPA

                  Blue Honor Roll:  3.67- 3.99 GPA

            Red Honor Roll:  3.00 - 3.66 GPA

 

                  A student receiving an F in any given quarter will not be eligible for either honor roll. 

 

 

 

VALEDICTORIAN-SALUTATORIAN SELECTION

 

            Valedictorian of the senior class will be awarded to the student with the overall highest grade point average.  Salutatorian honors will be awarded the student with the second highest overall grade point average.

                                                                        STUDENT OBLIGATIONS

 

            From time to time, students will have obligations to meet.  These may include class dues, library fines,  lunch account payment, replacement costs for athletic uniforms or textbooks, etc.  It is the student's responsibility to be accountable for all their obligations.  Student obligations must be met at the end of each grading period.   If their obligations are not met, the student will be considered  "not in good standing" and may be ineligible to participate in school activities.  We will also have obligation deadlines on important activity dates such as the beginning of sports seasons, dances, prom, and graduation.

 

TEXTBOOKS

 

                  A student is responsible for the return of textbooks, library books, music instruments, and other school property in as good condition as when received except for ordinary wear.  The student will be required to pay for lost or damaged items.

 

MEDIA CENTER

 

                  Regular library books:  These are placed on the shelves and must be checked out before they are taken from the media center.  Any book checked out must be returned on or before the due date.  Due dates are usually two weeks from the date the book was checked out.  If the student still needs the book, the check out may be renewed for an additional time period.

                  Reference books:  These include dictionaries, general and special encyclopedias, almanacs, biographical sources, bound columns of magazines and other miscellaneous reference materials.  Students may take them off the shelves, but must have permission from the media specialist or the media aide before they may be checked out.

                  Students will be required to pay  for lost or damaged books.

 

SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM

 

            The price of lunches will be determined by the board of education, based on the cost involved.  Students may apply for free or reduced lunches.  Applications are available in the school office.  Students will be issued a  lunch card and are expected to carry a positive balance in their account.  A student may not charge more than twenty dollars ($20.00).  When this occurs the student will be notified of the charges and will not be able to charge unless payment is received.  The student may still eat lunch but must pay cash.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

                  Announcements will be printed every day.  Any information that the students or teachers want on the announcements must be turned in to the high school secretary by 4:00 P.M. the day before they want the announcement read.  All announcements from students must be initialed by a teacher or staff member.  Announcements will be posted in the HS News folder on the computer.  Teachers should read them to their students at the end of the first period of the day.  They are also posted on the bulletin board outside the HS office and on the HS counter.

 

ELIGIBILITY

 

                  Activities provide students with opportunities for developing skills, physical fitness, close cooperation in  a common endeavor and the privilege to boost fellow students and the school.  Each eligible student is encouraged to participate in the sport(s) or activity (ies) he/she prefers.

                  The KSHSAA requires that all students participating in KSHSAA sanctioned activities be currently enrolled in five classes of unit weight and have passed five classes of unit weight the previous semester to be eligible.  According to the KSHSAA guidelines a student's eligibility is determined by the previous semester and continues until the end of the current semester.  Therefore, if a student is ineligible according to KSHSAA rules he / she may not participate for the entire semester. Students also need to have a current physical and parental consent/proof of insurance form on file.

 

Attendance and Participation in Co-curricular Activities

 

                  Students must be in attendance all day to participate in co-curricular activities after school, including practices, unless the absence was for a professional appointment.  The appointment must be verified by a note from the professional.  The Principal does have discretion to reinstate eligibility on an individual basis.

                                                            ATTENDANCE

 

The Responsibility for Attendance

 

                  Regular attendance is important for success in school, and the habit of good attendance is important in later life.  The student and his or her parents are responsible for the student's regular attendance.  All parents calling with attendance matters need to contact the attendance secretary at 785-863-2281.  Parents with students having extenuating attendance situations need to contact the Principal.  Student to work day is considered a personal absence .

 

Excused and Unexcused Absences

 

                  "Excused Absence" means an absence that is excused by the student's parents

(or legal guardian).   Thus, "excused" means "absent with prior parental permission."  The principal does have discretion to excuse absences in certain cases which would otherwise be unexcused.  The principal may determine an absence to be unexcused even with parental permission for the absence.

                  "Unexcused Absence" means an absence that occurred without the prior permission and knowledge of the parents (or legal guardian).  Unexcused absences are subject to disciplinary penalties as set forth below.

                  First time unexcused absence - One hour detention

                  Second time unexcused absence - make-up time as assigned by administration that could include an alternative educational setting and/or Friday  night school.

                  Further unexcused absences will be dealt with by additional make-up time, alternative educational setting, out of school suspension and reports to SRS and the county attorney. 

                 

                  Missing classes due to any school sponsored activity is not considered an absence.

 

Professional Appointments

 

    "Professional appointment" means an appointment with and validated by a professional for medical or legal reasons, such as doctor's appointment and/or court appearance.  The principal or their designee have the right to declare absences as "professional" when, in their opinion, situations in a student's personal life warrant their absence.  Professional appointments should always be documented with a note from the professional involved.  Documented professional appointments will not be counted in the 12 excused absences.

 

 

Truancy

 

                  A child is truant when she/he is required by law to attend school and is not enrolled in a school.   A child is also truant if she/he is under 16 years of age, and has a total of three (3) consecutive unexcused absences, or a total of five (5) accumulated unexcused absences in one semester.  In such cases, the student will be referred to the juvenile court and SRS.  The building principal is the school official designated by the Board of Education to determine whether an absence is unexcused.

 

Consequences for Excessive Accumulated Absences

 

                  Occasionally a student's absences become excessive, to the detriment of the student's success and the proper operation of the classroom.  At these times, the school must impose additional consequences other than those for individual absences.  The following actions shall be taken when absences accumulate to certain levels during the year.

 

1.              Upon the 5th, 9th and 12th absence in any one class, the office will mail the parents a reminder of the consequences for excessive absences as stated below. 

2.              After the 12th absence, students will be assigned a one hour detention per hour up to 2 hours per day.  If absences are more than 2 hours on any one given day a Friday Night School will be assigned.

3.              Parents with children who have a chronic illness which could cause excessive absences should discuss this with the principal before12 absences are reached.

4.              Students with excessive absences are considered students not in good standing and may be denied certain privileges at school.  Examples include dances, extracurricular activities, etc.

                 

Student's Responsibilities After an Absence

 

1.              Before an absence or upon the return of a student from an absence, the parent must contact the office to excuse the absence and to verify its date and time.  Either a note or a phone call is sufficient notification.

2.              If a student returns without notification from the parent, the absence shall be categorized as "unexcused" until a note or call is received.  Students will have 2 days to get the absence excused or will have disciplinary consequences. 

 

Student's Right and Responsibilities Concerning Making Up Missed Work

 

                  Upon returning to class, the student is responsible for inquiring about work missed during his or her absence, regardless of the reason for the absence.

                  A student who has been absent shall have the number of days absent plus one day to make-up work assigned during the absence.  If a student is absent during this make up period, he or she still must have work handed in by the deadline.  If the student is again absent on the day the work is due, the work must be handed in on the first day the student returns to class.

            If the student has been absent on the due date of an assignment or a test, the student must turn in the assignment or take the test on the day he or she returns to class, provided that the assignment was made before the absence.

                  The student should realize that at times he or she will miss experiences that can happen only during class time, and are impossible to make up directly, such as discussion, shop or lab work, music or drama practice, etc.  If a student misses an experience for which the teacher assigns credit, then that teacher may assign reasonable alternative work for making up that credit.

                  A student who makes advance arrangements for special absences shall also be responsible for arranging make-up work.

                  A student who misses a block class should make an effort to talk with all teachers prior to returning to the block class.  

                  A student who misses class due to a school sponsored activity may be required to make up work in advance.  Teachers will work with all students to see that all work is made up.

 

Student's Responsibilities When Being Absent Part of a Day

 

                  Once a student arrives on school grounds, the administration has responsibility for that student until the end of the school day unless other arrangements are made.  When you enter school grounds you are in attendance for that day.

                  To leave school before the 8:20 bell or during the day, a student must have advance permission from a parent or receive permission from the principal.  The student must sign out in the office with an authorizing signature from the principal or his or her representative.  A student leaving during the day without permission and without signing out shall incur disciplinary consequences.  He or she shall still be responsible for bringing a note concerning their absence. 

                  A student returning to school during the day, either for the first time or after having signed out and left, must sign in at the office.

TARDIES

                  A student is tardy to class if the student is not in the classroom when the tardy bell rings and/or not prepared for class.   A student tardy to their first hour class must check in at the office and get an admit slip.  A student is tardy to school if he/she arrives at school between 8:25 A.M. and 8:40 A.M.

                  Students are allowed four tardies per class each semester.  Upon the 5th and 6th tardy, the office will assign a detention. The 7th and subsequent tardies, per semester, will result in assigned Friday Night Schools and will become part of the students permanent discipline record.  Further disciplinary consequences will occur if students continue to be tardy  to class and will become part of the students permanent discipline record.

RELEASE TIME

 

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