CLINTON HIGH SCHOOL
817 8th Avenue South
Clinton, Iowa 52732
Welcome to Clinton High School. If there are any questions, suggestions, or concerns, the following information is presented to help students and parents communicate with the school district personnel.
ADMINISTRATION
Dr. Richard Basden, Superintendent
Administration Center 243-9600
Karinne Tharaldson Jones, Principal
Lisa Toppert, Associate Principal (9th, 10th, graders)
Mark Bloom, Associate Principal (11th, 12th graders)
Gary Lueders, Activities Director
Main Office: 243-7540
Fax: 243-9612
Web Site: www.clinton.k12.ia.us
This Planner Belongs To:
NAME ______________________________________________
ADDRESS___________________________________________
CITY________________________________________________
PHONE _____________________________________________
Table of Contents
General Information …………………………………………. Pages 4-7
Welcome/Loyalty Song
Important Numbers/Email Addresses
Important Calendar Events
Daily Schedules
Attendance Information………………………………………….. Pages 8-14
Notification
Special Absence Forms
College Visits
Excused/Unexcused Absences
Attendance Policy
Excessive Absences
Tardy to Class
Part-time Student
Truancy
Academics …………………………………………………… Pages 14-15
Make-up Work/ Incomplete Work
Trimester Final Exams
Credits/Graduation Requirements
Early Graduation Requirements
Grading Scale
Behavior Expectations ………………………………………. Pages 15-29
Discipline Procedures
Discipline Policy
Classroom Behavior
Insubordination/Gross Insubordination
Offensive Language
Public Display of Affection
Harassment
Forgery
Fighting
Tobacco/Alcohol/Controlled Substances
Dress Code
Electronic Devices(cell phones, mp3 players, etc)
Threatenings Calls
Weapons/Search and Seizure
Vandalism
Cheating
Violation of Rules/ Consequences
Disciplinary Terms
Extra-Curricular Activities………………………………….. Pages 29-35
Eligibility Requirements
Guidelines/Activity Ticket/Admission Cost
Activities/Clubs (Listed Alphabetically with Sponsors/Coaches)
Counseling Services ………………………………………….. Pages 35-37
Counselor Assignments
College Testing Dates
Deficiencies and Failures
Dropping Courses
Honor Roll
Permanent Record Card
Post Secondary Enrollment
Schedule Changes
Standardized Tests
Transcripts
Health Services ……………………………………………….. Pages 37-40
Medical Information/Appointments
Illness/Injury
Medication
PE Medical Excuses
Communicable Diseases
Teen Health Center
Library Services ……………………………………………... Page 40
School Resource Officer ……………………………………... Page 41
What To Do If………………………………………………… Pages 42-43
General Student Information…………………………………… Pages 43-51
Announcements, Assemblies
Bus Conduct
Cafeteria, Criminal Trespass
Dances/Special Events
Early Dismissal, Emergency Drills/Information
Fees/Fines/Waivers, Flowers/Balloons, Food/Drink, Fund-Raising
Hall Passes, Homeroom, Human Growth
ID Badges, Independent Students, Insurance, Internet
Lockers, Locker Searches, Lost/Found, Lunch
Money/Valuables
Open Enrollment
National Honor Society
Parking Permits, Driving Permits
Visitors
Student Rights and Responsibilities ……………………………… Pages 51-57
Required Publications …………………………………………….. Pg 150-185
Welcome to Clinton High School
Dear Parents and Students,
I want to take this opportunity to welcome everyone to the 2008-2009 school year. The mission of Clinton High School is to educate and motivate students to be successful, lifelong learners and problem solvers, effective team members, and responsible, productive citizens. This mission can only be accomplished through the continued partnership of staff, parents, and community. The CHS staff is committed to providing challenging, comprehensive curricular and co-curricular programs in a safe and orderly environment.
The faculty and staff of CHS continue to educate all students to their highest level of achievement through an engaging curriculum within a caring community. The professional staff of Clinton High School strives to prepare the students of Clinton for the future with a student-centered learning environment and an emphasis on active, applied learning. It is our commitment to provide the students of Clinton with an education that will more than prepare them for their future interests and plans.
It is my sincere hope that your son or daughter will take advantage of our wealth of co-curricular programs and athletic opportunities here at Clinton High School. Many wonderful activities for students abound within the walls of CHS. You can choose from music, drama, newspaper, yearbook, athletics, speech and debate, and a variety of special interest clubs. All members of the CHS staff encourage students to get involved in at least one or more activity. My advice is, “Try something new that interests you and another window of opportunity opens!”
I am tremendously proud to lead your high school. I feel extremely fortunate to have been given the opportunity to be a part of the CHS team and community. CHS is an exciting and stimulating place in which to learn. Again, I want to welcome you to Clinton High School. If you have questions about our school or your student, please feel free to call me at 243-7540. Together we can make the 2008-2009 school year a great experience filled with unlimited opportunities for your student.
Karinne M. Tharaldson Jones
Principal
Clinton High School Loyalty Song
We’re loyal to you, Clinton High
We’ll ever be true, Clinton High
We’ll back you to stand
‘Gainst the best in the land
For we know you have sand
Clinton High, Rah! Rah!
So smash that blockade, Clinton High
Go crashing ahead, Clinton High
Our team is our fame protector
On boys: for we expect a
Victory from you, Clinton High
Chee, Cha, Cha ha ha!
Chee, Cha, Cha ha ha!
Clinton High! Clinton High! Clinton High!
Fling out that dear old flag, the red and the black
Lead on your sons and daughters to the attack
Like men of old on giants, placing reliance, shouting defiance
Oskey wa – wa!
Amid the broad green fields that nourish our land
For honest labor and for learning we stand
And unto thee we pledge our hearts and hands
Dear Alma Mater, Clinton High
Important Numbers
From time to time a student or parent may wish to communicate an idea, suggest an improvement, ask a question, or express a concern. Because our high school is large, the following information is presented to help you communicate with school personnel. Feel free to call on us.
To Contact a Teacher:
The most efficient way of contacting a teacher is via e-mail. The school’s website address is www.clinton.k12.ia.us. Please use this address to find individual teacher addresses.
Attendance Office:
Attendance Number 243-7540 (messages may be left 24 hours a day)
To Contact a High School Administrator:
Principal: Karinne Tharaldson Jones
243-7540 ext. 1181
Associate Principal: Lisa Toppert 243-7540 ext. 1183
Associate Principal: Mark Bloom 243-7540 ext. 1183
Activities Director: Gary Lueders 243-7540 ext. 1122
Counseling Department:
Sue Schrader (dept. chair.) 243-7540 ext. 1200
Conrad Keibler 243-7540 ext. 1200
Amanda Sievers 243-7540 ext. 1200
Amanda Steines 243-7540 ext. 1200
School Nurse:
Dar Fox 243-7540 ext. 1111
Activities:
Gary Lueders 243-7540 ext. 1122
SRO (School Resource Officer):
Corporal Pat Cullen 243-7540 ext. 1210
Class Schedules
REGULAR SCHEDULE HOMEROOM SCHEDULE
Early Bird 6:30-7:20 Early Bird 6:30-7:20
Period 1 7:45-8:55 Period 1 7:45-8:50
Period 2 9:00-10:15 Period 2 8:55-10:00
Period 3 10:20-11:30 Homeroom 10:05-10:35
Period 4 Period 3 10:40-11:45
Early Lunch 11:30-12:00 Period 4
Class 12:05-1:20 Early Lunch 11:45-12:15
Class 12:20-1:25
Class 11:35-12:10
Middle Lunch 12:10-12:40 Class 11:50-12:20
Class 12:45-1:20 Middle Lunch 12:20-12:50
Class 12:55-1:25
Class 11:35-12:50
Late Lunch 12:50-1:20 Class 11:50-12:55
Late Lunch 12:55-1:25
Period 5 1:25-2:35
Buses leave CHS around 2:43 Period 5 1:30-2:35
Buses leave CHS around 2:43
EARLY DISMISSAL SCHEDULE PEP ASSEMBLY SCHEDULE
Early Bird 6:30-7:20 Early Bird 6:30-7:20
Period 1 7:45-8:35 Period 1 7:45-8:50
Period 2 8:40-9:35 Period 2 8:55-10:05
Period 3 9:40-10:30 Period 3 10:10-11:15
Period 4 10:35-11:25 Period 4
Period 5 11:30-12:20
Lunch 12:20-12:45 Early Lunch 11:15-11:45
Buses leave CHS around 12:50 Class 11:50-12:55
Class 11:20-11:50
Middle Lunch 11:50-12:20
Class 12:25-12:55
Class 11:20-12:25
Late Lunch 12:25-12:55
Period 5 1:00-2:00
Homeroom 2:05-2:10
Assembly 2:10-2:35
Buses leave CHS around 2:43
ONE HOUR DELAY SCHEDULE TWO HOUR DELAY SCHEDULE
Early Bird No class Early Bird No class
Period 1 8:45-9:35 Period 1 9:45-10:15
Period 2 9:40-10:35 Period 2 10:20-10:55
Period 3 10:40-11:30 Period 3 11:00-11:30
Period 4 Period 4
Early Lunch 11:30-12:00 Early Lunch 11:30-12:00
Class 12:05-1:20 Class 12:05-1:20
Class 11:35-12:10 Class 11:35-12:10
Middle Lunch 12:10-12:40 Middle Lunch 12:10-12:40
Class 12:45-1:20 Class 12:45-1:20
Class 11:35-12:50 Class 11:35-12:50
Late Lunch 12:50-1:20 Late Lunch 12:50-1:20
Period 5 1:25-2:35 Period 5 1:25-2:35
Calendar Items
First Trimester
Aug 18 Teachers Begin
Aug 21 First Day of Classes
Sept 1 Labor Day (No School)
Sept 29 Prof. Dev. (No School) (all day work day)
Oct 8-9 Parent Conferences
Oct 10 No School
Oct 31 Prof. Dev. (No School) (all day work day)
Nov 14 Finals Exemption Forms Due
Nov 17 & 18 Trimester Finals
Nov 18 End of First Trimester
Nov 20 1st Trimester Grades Due by 3:00 p.m.
Dec 4 1st Trimester Incomplete Grades Due by 3:00 p.m.
Second Trimester
Nov 27-28 Thanksgiving Vacation (No School)
Dec 22-Jan 2 Winter Vacation
Dec 18 Mid-term Grades Due
Jan 14-15 Parent Conferences
Jan 16 No School
Jan 19 Prof. Dev. (No School) (all day work day) M.L. King’s Birthday)
Feb 16 Presidents Day (Snow Day make-up if known by 1/30)
Feb 25 Finals Exemption Forms Due
Feb 26 & 27 Trimester Finals
Feb 27 End of Second Trimester
Mar 2 2nd Trimester Grades Due by 3:00 p.m.
Mar 16 2nd Trimester Incomplete Grades Due by 3:00 p.m
Third Trimester
Mar 19-20 Spring Vacation
Apr 1 Mid-term Grades Due
Apr 7-8 Parent Conferences
Apr 9 No School
Apr 10 &13 Easter Vacation
May 14 Senior Exemption Forms Due
May 20 & 21 Senior Finals
May 24 Commencement 2:00
May 25 Memorial Day (No School)
May 27 Final Exemption Forms Due
May 28 & 29 Trimester Finals
May 29 End of Third Trimester
May 29 Grades due by 3:00 pm
June 2 Prof. Dev. (No School) (all day work day)
ATTENDANCE INFORMATION
“Effective Schools” research supports the fact that success in school is dependent on attendance. Every effort should be made on the part of parents and students to assure regular school attendance. Any absence from school is a serious detriment not only to the individual student but to our entire school system as well. Responsibility for the learning missed during an absence rests with the student, parents, and teachers. There is no substitute for classroom instruction through daily attendance. Students are expected to be in school 180 days unless excused by the principal or his/her designee.
Student tardiness, truancy, and absenteeism are a major concern among high school staff because they are disruptive to the entire educational process. Tardiness and unexcused absences are deemed by the district as student misconduct and disobedience and may subject the student to suspension and/or expulsion as described below and in the district’s student discipline policy. High numbers of absences and truancies cause a great amount of missed class time. The CHS staff knows that absence from school is the single greatest cause of poor achievement. If students are not regular in attendance, their performance suffers, they lose interest in classes, fall behind in their work, and often fail classes. Large numbers of students are successful because they are seldom absent or tardy.
Notification
On the day you are absent from school, parents must telephone the attendance office (243-7540) and leave a voice message between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. All calls will be recorded on voice mail. This service is provided as a convenience to parents. If the attendance office is not notified by 8:00 a.m. following the first day of absence, the absence will be considered unexcused. Students will be requested to provide written verification from a doctor, dentist, or legal appointment indicating the reason for an absence. The principal may also request evidence or written verification for other reasons of absences as well.
Special Absence Form
If a student anticipates an extended absence from school, at any time during a school year, the parent or guardian must notify the school three days in advance. Students should report to the attendance secretary to obtain an advance personal excuse form. Each teacher must sign this form indicating arrangements have been made to satisfy course requirements. The absence will not be excused unless this form is completed and returned to the attendance office before the absence occurs. Being out of school to attend a school-sponsored activity will be considered an unexcused absence if a special absence form is not turned in prior to the absence. All students will be expected to make-up assignments missed for school-sponsored activities.
College Visitations:
Seniors are excused to visit a college or technical school they are considering attending. Two visits will be excused providing the parent notifies the attendance office prior to the day of the visit and a special absence form is completed and turned into the attendance office prior to the college visit. College visits will count as an excused absence when taking final exams. If a student needs more than two visits, the principal will need to authorize an additional visit.
Excused Absences
Regular attendance by students is essential for students to obtain maximum opportunities from the educational system. Parents/guardians and student alike are encouraged to ensure an absence from school is a necessary absence. Students shall attend school 180 days unless excused by the principal or the attendance center. Student absences excused by the principal shall be considered excused absences. Excused absences shall count as days of attendance for purposes of the truancy law. These absences include, but are not limited to the following:
· Personal illness or accident.
· Recognized religious holiday given prior approval by the building administrator/designee.
· Death or serious injury in the immediate family.
· Medical, dental, or legal appointments/court appearances, which cannot be made other than during school time. Verification is required the day of the appointment or no later than 8:00 a.m. the following day for the absence to be excused.
· Family vacations when accompanied by parents and approved by the administration at least three school days prior to the trip. (See Special Absence Form section.)
· Educational trips, which have been given prior approval by the administration.
· Emergency/Personal absences must be approved by the administration for the absence to be excused.
With parental notification and administrative approval, the following absences are exempt from the policy covering student attendance requirements:
· Attendance at a school sponsored and supervised activity if anticipated absence requirements have been completed by the student before the day of the absence.
· Any absence approved as an exemption, by the building administrator.
· Students in grades 11 and 12 may be allowed to leave the school district facilities when they are not scheduled to be in class. Students who violate school rules may have this privilege suspended.
Unexcused Absences
The following are representative of reasons that will be considered unexcused absence or truancy:
· Failure to notify office of absence
· Leaving the building for any reason without permission from school nurse/administrator
· Absence without parent permission
· Personal absences which are not approved by the administration
· Oversleeping/faulty alarm clock
· Transportation problems/car trouble
· Inclement weather
· Preparation for parties or other celebrations
· Preparation for a trip
· Employment
· Paying bills
· Haircuts
· Shopping
· Baby-sitting
· Helping with housework
· Other avoidable absences
Generally, work missed because of an unexcused absence must be completed within the acceptable time limit given for absences. Additional work may be assigned to compensate for a participation grade.