STUDENT HANDBOOK
WELCOME TO WALDRON JR.-SR. HIGH SCHOOL
1.
Be Alert in
classes - Act interested and you will find you are.
2.
Be Polite - to
your teachers and to your fellow students.
3.
Be Positive -
Be positive that education is important to your future.
4.
Be Understanding
- You need to understand the strengths and weaknesses of those around you so
that you may help them learn.
5.
Be Respectful
- Respect those around you and they will respect you.
6.
Be Dependable -
Get your assignments done on time.
7.
Be Happy
- A smile will make you positive that you will succeed.
8.
Be Proud -
of Your God, Your Country, Your Community, Your School, Your Family, and
Yourself. Conduct Yourself in such
a way that others will be proud of you and you will be proud of yourself.
9.
Be Humble
- You will find that the more you know, the more there is to know.
10.
Be Cooperative -
Work with the people around you so you will all succeed.
11.
Be a Good Citizen
- High School trains you to live as a law-abiding citizen.
Follow the rules at all times.
12.
Be Goal Oriented
- Work toward graduation, job training, scholarships, college, and a future that
will be special to you.
YOU
ARE ABSENT:
Have
parent call 525-ABSENT by 10:00 a.m.
YOU
ARE TARDY:
Late
to school. Get a pass from the office when you arrive at school.
Other tardies are handled by the teachers.
YOU
GET ILL AT SCHOOL: Go
to the office.
Get permission to go to Health room
to
see nurse. A
parent must be contacted before you may go home.
YOU
MUST LEAVE EARLY:
Get
"early dismissal: pass from the office or guidance office.
Must
have note or phone call from a parent..
YOU
NEED A SCHEDULE CHANGE:
See
your counselor in the guidance office.
YOU
HAVE A PERSONAL PROBLEM:
See
your counselor in the guidance office
YOU
HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT A COLLEGE OR CAREER:
See
your counselor.
MESSAGE
FROM THE ADMINISTRATION
The
intent of the handbook is to provide the communication between students,
parents, and the school.
The handbook provides information about policies, practices, and
procedures of student life at school.
We encourage you to become involved in the many activities at our school
and also, to do your best in the classroom in order to achieve the necessary
preparation for the future.
Each student will be successful only to the extent that he/she takes the
initiative in classes and in other activities.
The combined efforts of students, parents, and staff will result in
helping each student get the very best education.
Our entire staff is ready and willing to assist you whenever and wherever
possible. We
hope your educational experience will be very enriching and rewarding.
We look forward to working with you during the school year and shall
expect each of you to do your utmost in whatever you undertake.
Our door is always open to you.
The
mission of Waldron Junior-Senior High School
is to teach students to be lifelong learners with the skills necessary to
be successful in an ever-changing and increasingly technological society.
Waldron Junior-Senior High School challenges students to be active
learners, to think critically, and to make responsible decisions.
The school will encourage students to become contributing,
self-sufficient members of society.
CORPORATION
MISSION STATEMENT
The
purpose of Shelby Eastern Schools is to provide an environment that teaches all
students how to be learners, decision makers, and responsible contributors to
society.
"We
are what we repeatedly do.
Regular
attendance is important and necessary in promoting the successful experience of
a student at school.
The educational process requires a continuous sequence of instruction
when broken by a period of absences this instruction can never be fully regained
by extra work.
The regular contact of students with one another in the classroom and
their participation in learning activities under the supervision of a classroom
teacher will assist each student in attaining his or her maximum potential.
A very high positive correlation exists between formal learning and
school attendance.
The
primary purpose of this attendance policy is to develop high standards of
dependability and reliability, to promote punctuality, to develop traits of good
citizenship, and to enhance academic success.
Since business, industry, and the professions expect a high level of
attendance and time-on-task, the education of our students must reflect these
expectations and responsibilities.
Indiana law requires that records be kept showing student’s attendance.
All absences are to be recorded in the official attendance record.
According to Indiana law, the school corporation has the power to
establish rules and policies in regard to student attendance.
Shelby Eastern Schools in compliance with Indiana Law (I.C. 20-8.1-3-17)
requires regular school attendance.
COMPULSORY
ATTENDANCE
Every
child between the ages of seven (7) and seventeen (17) years of age is required
to attend school unless there is on file in the school office, a physician’s
statement that he/she is physically or mentally unable to profit from the
services offered by the school.
Any student under eighteen (18) years of age must have written
parent/guardian permission to withdraw.
EXCUSED
ABSENCES:
SEE SECTION ON EXCUSED ABSENCES.
UNEXCUSED
ABSENCES:
SEE SECTION ON UNEXCUSED ABSENCES.
TARDY:
A STUDENT WHO IS NOT IN HIS ASSIGNED SEAT WHEN THE TARDY BELL RINGS IS
CONSIDERED TARDY. TARDINESS IS A
VIOLATION OF SCHOOL POLICY.
TRUANCY:
A
STUDENT WHO IS ABSENT FROM SCHOOL WITHOUT ANY ADVANCED KNOWLEDGE AND PERMISSION
FROM HIS PARENTS OR GUARDIANS AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS IS CONSIDERED TRUANT.
TRUANCY IS A VIOLATION OF SCHOOL POLICY.
POLICY
An
excused absence is an absence recognized by state law or the school.
Class absences where students should complete missed classroom work for
credit are:
(2)
Absences
authorized by the State of Indiana which require verification and are not
recorded as an absence.
(a)
Absences
spent as a page on Honoree of the Indiana General Assembly.
(b)
Absences
spent serving on a precinct election board or as a helper to a political
candidate or political party.
(c)
Absences
spent as a witness in a court proceeding verified by a subpoena or court
approved certification of attendance.
(d)
Absences
spent serving active duty with the Indiana National Guard.
(3)
Absences
for exhibitions in the Indiana State Fair which are properly prearranged with
school officials and are not recorded as an absence.
(4)
Absences
due to personal illness which are verified by the school officials.
(5)
Absences
due to medical and dental appointments which are verified by school officials.
(6)
Absences
due to religious holidays which are verified by school officials.
(7)
Absences
due to death of friends or family members.
(8)
Absences
due to special administrative releases approved by the principal or designee.
An
unexcused absence is an absence not recognized by state law or the school.
Class absences where students should complete missed classroom work
without credit are:
(1)
Absences
due to school disciplinary actions.
(2)
Absences
due to truancies.
(3)
Absences
due to court appearances not verified by a subpoena, unless countermanded by the
court.
(4)
Absences
identified as unexcused by the principal or designee.
1.
Students
and parents are responsible for the verification of every schools absence by
contacting the school.
2.
Whenever
students leave the school building during the school day, they must have
parental or administrative permission and sign out from school with approval
from school officials. Students
leaving school without permission are considered truant.
3.
Students
should complete all classroom work missed because of an absence from school, but
credit will be granted only for excused absences.
4.
Students
and teachers should work together to complete all make-up work within five (5)
school days unless school officials grant additional days for special
circumstances. (CLARIFICATION - The
student’s make-up work should take the same number of days as missed in each
class.)
5.
Students
and parents have the right to appeal any school-based decision in compliance
with the policy by notifying the Superintendent of Schools in writing five (5)
school days of such decision.
6.
Students
and parents are encouraged to verify if an absence will be excused prior to the
absence.
2.
Each
school will develop a system for monitoring student attendance and tardiness and
for discouraging absenteeism.
3.
Each
school will maintain detailed records of student attendance.
4.
Each
school will identify students who have a pattern of poor attendance and/or
excessive tardiness.
The
school will verify all attempts to contact the student and parents.
A plan of action will be developed to avoid a more serious attendance
problem.
TRUANCY
Absence
from school under any of the following conditions is considered truancy:
1.
Absence
without the consent or knowledge of the parents or guardian.
2.
Leaving
school for a portion of a school period or more without proper permission.
3.
Absence
or tardiness from a class or a part of class without proper permission.
4.
Absence
not approved by the school with or without the consent or knowledge of the
parent or guardian.
The
following procedures will be used when truancy occurs:
1.
Upon the first incidence of
truancy, a conference will be held with the student and principal.
Assignment to Saturday School will be made.
2.
Upon the second incidence of
truancy, a conference will be held with student, parent, and principal.
A written plan of action shall be developed at that time and made part of
the student’s file. The case will
be referred to the Attendance Officer for investigation and determination of
further referral to the Superintendent or to the Shelby County Judicial Office.
3.
Future incidences of truancy may
result in expulsion procedures.
PREARRANGED
ABSENCE
Extenuating circumstances other than personal illness or death in the immediate
family will require a prearranged absence for excused absence consideration.
Prearranged absences may be approved only for students whose parents have
contacted the school (two weeks in advance) and explained the reason for
absence. Only
in those instances where it is impossible to do otherwise should a student be
taken out of school for a family vacation.
The maximum number of days for prearranged absence is five (5) days.
SIGNING
IN AND OUT
Whenever
a student leaves the building during the school day for any reason except for
lunch time or vocational school, he/she must have parental permission and sign
out in the main office.
Failure to do so will make the student truant from school.
Students may not leave school without permission from school personnel.
If
a student becomes ill during the school day, he/she is to report to the main
office and his/her parents will be called to pick him/her up.
When a student who has signed out returns to school that same day, he/she
must sign in at the main office.
Students
are expected to be at school and in class on time.
Tardiness is any unexcused attendance of a student beyond the scheduled
time that a class begins.
Students must be in the classroom before the final bell rings with all
necessary materials.
A tardiness of a student may be excused when it is caused by an
unavoidable circumstances.
This determination will be made by a classroom teacher,
the principal, or his designee.
FIRST
OFFENSE:
Verbal teacher warning. Student(s)
are notified by the teacher.
SECOND
OFFENSE:
Verbal teacher warning. Student(s)
are notified by the teacher. Disciplinary
notice is sent
home to parents.
THIRD
OFFENSE:
Teacher
directed detention is assigned. Disciplinary notice is sent home to parents.
FOURTH
OFFENSE:
Friday/Saturday School
detention is assigned. Disciplinary notice is sent home to parents.
ADDITIONAL OFFENSES:
Out of School Suspension is assigned. Disciplinary notice is sent
home to parents.
In
each class the teacher is the educational leader and is there to help you learn
by participating in a variety of activities.
Since each teacher-class combination is different in some ways, EACH
OF YOUR TEACHERS WILL LET YOU KNOW WHAT THEY EXPECT FROM YOU AND HOW THEY EXPECT
YOU TO CONDUCT YOURSELF APPROPRIATELY.
When you have a substitute teacher, you must follow their rules and
regulations in addition to your usual teacher’s expectations.
PERSONAL
PROPERTY
Student
owned items are not insured by the school system.
Students and parents are encouraged to be sure items brought to school
are insured under individual insurance policies.
The school corporation is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
Your
behavior at evening activities, field trips, or other school related trips or
activities should reflect well upon you and your school sponsored activities.
Participation may be suspended by the principal for academic,
disciplinary or other reasons.
School sponsored activities include any event where the Shelby Eastern
Schools are officially represented.
The
Board of School Trustees of the Shelby Eastern Schools recognize the health
risks and danger associated with the use of illicit drugs, unlawful drugs,
and/or alcohol.
The
school will offer random drug testing to al l junior high and senior high school
students (grades 7-12), male and female, who participate in school sponsored
extra-curricular activities, student athletics, the privilege of student
driving, and the privilege of leaving school campus during lunch.
Students may volunteer to participate in the program.
The
school cafeteria is maintained as a vital part of the health program of the
school. To
encourage good nutrition, a well balanced lunch if offered at a reasonable cost.
The lunchroom management and your fellow students will appreciate your
cooperation in depositing all lunch litter in the trash container, returning all
trays and utensils to the dish washing area, and leaving the table and floor
around you in a clean condition for others.
FOOD
MAY NOT BE TAKEN FROM THE CAFETERIA, UNLESS AUTHORIZED BY SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION.
It
is the responsibility of students to use passing time between classes
efficiently and be in class on time.
Students are encouraged not to loiter in hallways.
Students must present passes to staff members in the hallways during
instructional time.
CARE
OF BUILDING
Students
are expected to cooperate in maintaining a clean building.
Pride in our school environment is everyone’s responsibility.
In
the event of severe weather or mechanical failure it may be necessary to close
school. Notification
will be given on WKWH radio, WIBC radio, WRCR radio, and Channels 6, 8, and 13
television Indianapolis.
Announcements will be made as early as possible regarding school closing.
Please do not call the school, as our lines will be needed to make
emergency calls.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announcements
will be made daily.
Notices of club meetings, athletic and social events, general
information, and specific instructions will be given by television daily.
Students
becoming ill while at school should report to the office.
Parents will be called or other necessary arrangements will be made for
the proper care.
It is important to check with the office before leaving school.
A school administrator, teacher, or other school employee designated by
the school administrator may, in good faith, administer a non-prescription
medication to a student with the written permission of the pupil’s parent or
guardian. A
prescription drug may be administered to a student with the written order of a
practitioner (doctor, dentist, podiatrist, etc.) acting within the scope of his
practice. The
school shall receive and keep on file all written orders before any medication
will be administered to any student.
ACCIDENTS
Accidents
happening at school must be reported to either the faculty member in charge of
the group or to the administrative office.
EMERGENCY
PROCEDURES (FIRE AND TORNADOES)
Information
cards will be posted in each classroom stating directions to follow in case of
tornado or fire drills.
Teachers will give further instructions about leaving the building in
case of emergencies.
INTERMITTENT TONE indicates TORNADO
and students are to report to safe areas within the building.
STEADY BELL indicates FIRE
and students are to leave the building.
In case of emergency:
B.
WALK!!
Running or rushing is unsafe.
C.
REMAIN
ALERT!! In any drill or
emergency it pays to be calm and collected so that the most intelligent course
of action can be followed if it becomes impossible to follow normal procedures.
D.
Be
ready to respond to your teacher’s ROLL CALL.
TELEPHONE
Messages
from parents should be left in the office.
Students will be called out of class for emergencies only.
The phone in the athletic office and other office phones are to be used
with permission only.
BUS
RULES
All
buses to games, field trips, etc. are scheduled by the school and each bus is
under the direction of a staff member. All
students are to return to school on their assigned bus, unless a note from your
parents is given to the faculty member in charge.
Reasonable conduct is expected.
Regulations
on the regular bus routes are established by the bus driver.
All rules should be read by the bus driver to the students and posted in
front of the bus. Students must
obey these rules.
Safety
is a great concern of all of us. Drivers
must operate buses in a safe manner. If
students disobey bus rules they may be asked to find other means of
transportation to and from school. Riding
the school bus is a privilege for the student, not a responsibility of the
corporation.
GUIDANCE
Counselors
are available to students throughout the day to help with any problems.
We encourage parents to contact them if they feel their student needs
help. Personal
problems are always kept confidential.
Every effort will be made to help you.
The counselors help students plan their academic schedules.
The
honor roll will be divided into two sections, 90% or above and straight “A”
(no grade below 95%).
The honor roll will be published at the end of each grading period.
Report
cards are issued following the end of each grading period.
Numerical grades will be used according to the following scale:
WALDRON JR. – SR. HIGH SCHOOL GRADING SCALE
A+
=
99 - 100
A
= 96 - 98
B+
=
92 - 93
B
= 87 - 91
B-
= 85 - 86
C+
=
83 - 84
C
=
77 - 82
C-
=
75 - 76
D+
=
73 - 74
D
=
68 - 72
D-
=
66 - 67
F
=
65 - 0
The
semester average will be the grade recorded on your permanent record.
Progress
reports will be sent to parents of any student with a 76% or lower average at
the end of four weeks in the grading period or at anytime the teacher feels the
parent should be notified.
All
incomplete grades should be made up by the end of the week following the end of
the grading period.
Parent-teacher
conferences are encouraged.
Please call the school to schedule an appointment.
According
to Shelby Eastern School policy, only students who meet all graduation
requirements will be allowed to participate in commencement graduation
ceremonies.
Students
participating in graduation ceremonies are expected to attend commencement
practice.
Graduating
males are expected to wear dress shoes, socks, dress pants, and a dress shirt
with their gowns.
Graduating
females are expected to wear dress shoes, a dress or dress slacks and a blouse
with their gowns.
Graduating
seniors are expected to follow all reasonable expectations to ensure an orderly
ceremony.
SCHEDULE
CHANGE
STUDENTS IN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL MAY MAKE NECESSARY SCHEDULE CHANGES WITHIN THREE
(3) SCHOOL DAYS OF THE BEGINNING OF THE SEMESTER.
After
that date, the student will receive a W/F grade for any course that is dropped.
It is important that students give careful consideration to course
selection. The
counselors are available to help you with career education decision making.
CREDITS
- SUMMER AND CORRESPONDENCE
Students
may earn up to four (4) credits by evening or correspondence courses and up to
four (4) credits attending summer school at a school other than Morristown or
Waldron during their high school career.
This credit MUST HAVE PRIOR APPROVAL FROM THE PRINCIPAL.
A student may not use adult class credits toward graduation until his/her
class will be considered as the one which graduates four years from the date
he/she started his/her freshman year.
Required
credits for graduation:
Language Arts
-
8 credits
Social
Studies
-
4 credits
Mathematics
-
4 credits
Science
-
4 credits
Health
& Safety
-
1 credit
Physical
Ed.
-
1 credit
Electives
-
18 credits
Total
required
-
40 credits
All
students shall be required to enroll in a minimum of six (6) credit classes per
day.
Eight
(8) semesters of attendance shall be required for graduation. All students shall
attend school all seven (7) periods every semester. Only students meeting all
graduation requirements will be allowed to participate in graduation ceremonies.
Any
materials to be distributed and/or posted on school property must be cleared by
the principal before distribution.
Those doing the distribution and posting are responsible for cleaning up
any litter.
No
materials are to be sold on school grounds without the approval of the school
administration.
Selling of items is usually limited to school sponsored groups or
activities.
MEDIA
CENTER
Students
are encouraged to use the Media Center.
Students wishing to use the Media Center during class time should obtain
a pass from their teacher.
Students wishing to use the Media Center for an entire class period
should obtain a pass from the teacher who assigned the work to be done. Study
hall teachers may issue a pass for a student to go to the Media Center to check
out a book. These
would be limited to three students at a time.
Borrowed
materials should be returned by the due date.
Repeated failure to do this will result in the loss of privilege to
borrow materials.
An
atmosphere which promotes the best use of the Media Center by all must be
maintained. If
a student does not make good use of his time in the Media Center, or if he
attempts to be disruptive, he will not be allowed to remain there.
Repeated poor usage or disruptions will result in loss of privilege to
use the Media Center.
STAFF
AUTHORITY
Any
professional employee acting with the procedures described by these guidelines
will be supported by the Board and the central office staff.
Each
teacher shall be responsible for the order and discipline of pupils in his or
her own room, immediate surroundings, and on any school property or at any
school activity.
In maintaining a well-disciplined room a positive approach to elicit good
behavior shall be used to avoid the necessity of disciplinary action.
It
is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to instill in the individual
child the proper standards of acceptable behavior.
The parents, too, should insist that the child follow the rules of the
school at all times.
1.
The
public school teacher and authorities of the school stand in loco parentes
(acting in place of parents) of the child.
2.
School
authorities have the power and responsibility to adopt appropriate rules and
regulations for governing of the schools under their control.
3.
When,
student’s behavior disrupts learning, either of the student himself and/or the
learning of others, the teacher and/or school officials are obligated to
investigate the cause of such behavior and initiate appropriate remedial action,
including immediate contact with parents.
The
Waldron campus has a closed lunch hour.
Students’ cars and the student parking lot are off-limits during the
school day except with permission from the principal.
SCHOOL
VISITORS
All
visitors must sign in at main office and receive a visitor badge.
Advanced arrangements with both the classroom teacher and building
principal will be made prior to such visitation.
Students
will not be allowed to bring school age visitors to school unless approved by
school administration.
Unless
accompanied by parents, children of less than school age will not be permitted
to visit school during the time when classes are in session.
The
Indiana High School Athletic Association regulations determine the minimum
academic standards which a student must meet in order to participate in athletic
contests with students of other school. A
high school athlete must be enrolled and passing in five (5) full credit
subjects.
Junior
High students will be ineligible in any sport if they receive more than one
failing grade.
