Minnewaska Area High School
Student Handbook
2017-2018
Chip Rankin
Superintendent of Schools
239-4820
Cory Larson
7-12 Principal
239-1309
Sarah Suchy
K-6 Principal
634-4567
Kelly Quade
MADT Director
239-1400
Bill Mills
Director of Activities/Community Ed/Early Childhood
239-1311
1
Table of Contents Alphabetical by Topic
Absences, Excused 2
Absences, Pre-Excused 4
Absences, Re-Admission after Absence 3
Absences, Unexcused 25
ACADEMICS 13
Activities Fees 11
Activity Punch Cards 12
Activities, Rules for 11
Academic Eligibility……………………………11
Activity Transportation 12
Address Change 5
Alcohol and Drugs, Possession or Use of 20
Attendance Policy 2
ATTENDANCE 2
BEHAVIORS 20
Belief/Mission Statement 20
Blue Slip 26
Books 15
Bullying 22
Bus Discipline 21
Bus Transportation 18
Bus Transportation - Rules & Regulations 18
Cafeteria 17
CALENDAR 2016-17 School Year 29
Cellular Phones and CD Players 10
Cheating/Lying 21
Class Disruptions 21
Class Dues 2
Classroom Treats and Food 17
Classroom Violations 21
College and Vocational School Requirements 13
College Visits 4
Commencement 14
Computer Resource Policy 7
Conduct, Code of 1
CONSEQUENCES 26
Credits to Qualify for Grade Level 14
Credits 14
Daily Schedule 1
Detention 27
Directory - Student Information 10
DISCIPLINE PLAN 20
Discrimination 10
Distribution of Literature, Material 10
Dress Code – see Unacceptable Attire 25
Driving to School 8
Excuse from Physical Education 4
Expulsion 27
Extra-Curricular Activities 11
Fighting 21
Fire and Tornado Drills 5
Grades 15
Graduation Requirements 14
Guidance Office 16
Harassment #1 & #2 21
Harassment & Violence 21
Hazing Policy 24
Health Service 17
Homebound Instruction 16
Honor Roll 15
Honors Banquet Participants 16
Illness 6
Insubordination 24
Internet & E-Mail, District Rules 7
Late to School Passes 3
Lockers 19
Loss of Privileges 27
Lost and Found 17
Lunch Period - Closed Campus 10
MAHS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES 1
Make-up work and Incomplete Grades 4
Media Center 7
Medication Policy 5
Memorandum of Understanding 28
Messages 5
Minimum Attendance 3 & 15
Minnesota Attendance Law 2
Mobile Device Policy 8-12
Noon Traffic to Other Areas 10
Nuisance Devices 24
Pass, In Building 4
Pass, Out of the Building 3
Parent Conferences 16
Parking Permits Required 9
Participation Fees 12
Policy Against Religious, Racial & Sexual Harassment & Violence 21
Pledge of Allegiance 1
Pornographic Material, Possession or Distr. of 24
Post-Secondary Options 16
Posters 9
Profanity/Inappropriate Comments 24
Progress Reports 16
Pupil Fair Dismissal Act 27
Readmission after Absence 3
Removal from Class 27
Restitution 27
Rollerblades and Skateboards 24
Rude/Discourteous Behavior 24
Saturday School/Seat Time 28
Schedule Changes 4
SCHOOL ACTIVITIES 11, 12
School Closings Announcements 9
School Lunch 17
School Sponsored Trips 13
School Staff Background Checks 28
Section 504 of the Rehab. Act of 1973 19
Snowballs 25
Standards for Leadership 12
Stealing/Major 25
Stealing/Minor 25
Student Council 12
Student Planners 2
Student Ridership Training 19
STUDENT SERVICES 16
Supplies 5
Suspension 28
Tardiness 3
Tobacco, Possession or Use of 25
Telephone, Use of 5
Tennessen Warning……………………...... 28
Trespass Notice 28
Truancy 26
Tutoring Center 16
Unacceptable Attire/Clothing Policy 25
Unexcused Absences 25
Unsafe Acts/Horseplay/ Pushing 26
Vandalism 26
Visitors During School Hours 9
Weapons Policy 26
Weighted Grades 15
Withdrawal and Transfer 5
1
DAILY SCHEDULE:
7th & 8th Grade
Warning Bell 8:10
Period 1 8:15-9:06
Period 2 9:11-10:02
Period 3 10:07-10:58
Lunch 10:58-11:26
Period 4 11:31-12:22
Period 5 12:27-1:18
Period 6 1:23-2:14
Period 7 2:19-3:10
9th thru 12th Grade
Warning Bell 8:10
Period 1 8:15-9:06
Period 2 9:11-10:02
Period 3 10:07-10:58
Period 4 11:03-11:54
Lunch 11:54-12:22
Period 5 12:27-1:18
Period 6 1:23-2:14
Period 7 2:19-3:10
Zero Hour
MAHS POLICIES and PROCEDURES
CODE OF CONDUCT
Student-Minnesota Statutes 1971, Section 120.06 states the following: “Notwithstanding the provisions of any law to the contrary, the conduct of all students under 21 years of age attending a public secondary school shall abide by the rules and regulations promulgated by the local Board of Education.
The basic responsibility of the schools is to educate the children of the community and any child defined as eligible by compulsory school attendance laws. It is not necessary to keep in school those children whose conduct is totally inconsistent with the learning atmosphere. The right of a person to attend school must not place in serious jeopardy the rights of others to profit from school. In the event that a student in Minnewaska Area High School does not abide by these disciplinary guidelines, he or she may be subject to disciplinary action that is fitting, proper, and legal within the framework of the amended Pupil Fair Dismissal Act of 1974.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Minnesota Statutes 121A.11 mandate regarding the pledge of allegiance:
"Anyone who does not wish to participate in reciting the pledge of allegiance for any personal reason may elect not to do so. Staff and students must respect another person's right to make that choice."
CLASS DUES
Every student at MAHS is expected to pay class dues. The class dues are used to support and offset class expenses. It is important that each student pay his/her annual class dues so that they can attend class activities and support the class’s future plans. Please make checks payable to the MAHS Class of ___ (his/her graduation year). Class dues must be paid by November 15th to avoid a $5 late fee. Dues by grade:
7th & 8th …………………. $10
9th-11th……………….. $15
12th…………………… $20
These dues are used to offset the cost of assignment books in grades 7-9 and offset future costs related to, but not limited to: Homecoming, Prom, Graduation Costs, Field Trips, etc., for every class.
STUDENT PLANNERS
Students in grades 7 and 8 will be required to have a student planner. Class dues will cover the initial planner cost ($3). Replacement planners may be purchased at the office for the same price while supplies last.
ATTENDANCE
MINNESOTA ATTENDANCE LAW
All children between the ages of seven and eighteen (or 17 WITH parent permission) shall attend school each day school is in session. Hence, the school and the State of Minnesota insist that students attend every day unless they have excusable reasons. Failure to meet this requirement will result in notification of truancy being filed with the County Attorney’s Office.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
There is a direct relationship between good attendance and success in school. It is the recommendation of administration and staff that no more than six (6) days of absenteeism will be allowed for credit in any given quarter. Seat time will be made up at a 1:1 rate for any students exceeding the allowable number. Students must be in school from 11:00-3:10 in order to participate or attend extra-curricular activities that school day unless special circumstances had been discussed with the principal ahead of time.
EXCUSED ABSENCES
Excused absences may be given for the following reasons:
1. Illness**
2. Necessary medical attention or health related problems.
3. Serious illness or death of someone in the immediate family.
4. Emergencies calling for the student at home.
5. Family trips, college visits, when arrangements have been made in advance with the attendance secretary and/or office secretary.
**REMEMBER to inform the school by calling 239-1314 (attendance secretary) by 10:00 a.m. when you intend to keep an ill student home.
All district residents have access to bus transportation. Therefore, missing school because your car will not start is not an acceptable excuse.
MINIMUM ATTENDANCE
By policy, attendance will be reviewed quarter by quarter. Students in grades 7-12 who are absent, excused or unexcused, over 6 times in a quarter terms will be required to make up hours/work during Saturday school, at before/after school detentions, by attending non-student days, etc., at the discretion of the principal before they will receive credit for the course. Extenuating circumstances will be decided on a case-by-case basis by the Secondary School Principal.
READMISSION AFTER ABSENCE
Students must abide by the following procedures:
1. Students are to report to the attendance secretary to turn in their excuse for absence, and will contact the individual teachers; via Gmail, to inform them of any unexcused absences.
2. It is up to all students to contact each of their teachers for make-up work. Teachers have been instructed to post the daily or weekly assignments in their rooms or provide handouts of the assignments.
3. Make-up work allows one day for each day missed. Work for unexcused absences must be made up but will not receive credit.
LATE TO SCHOOL PASSES
All students are expected to report to school on time. All late arrivals are considered unexcused tardy or absent unless a bus is late or arrangements have been made ahead of time with the principal or attendance secretary. Any 7-12 student arriving after 8:15 a.m. to 1st Period is tardy or absent and are to report to the attendance secretary.
OUT OF THE BUILDING PASS (Blue Pass)
To leave the school building during the school day, a student needs a parent/guardian approved “blue pass” (Permit to Leave Building pass) in his/her possession. Permission to be absent from school for any reason must ONLY be obtained through a parent or guardian. Students 18 years or older will not be given permission independently. All requests to leave school must be presented to the principal’s office prior to 10:00 a.m. each day. Blue passes must be picked up by the student in the office prior to leaving school property. Students leaving the building without a blue pass will be considered truant. Blue passes may be obtained from the Secondary School Office by receipt of a call, e-mail or signed note by parent/guardian for the following reasons:
1. Court appearance, probation visit, etc.: The student will be excused only for the hours needed for the court appearance or probation visit.
2. Dentist and Doctor’s appointments: An attempt should be made to schedule appointments after school hours except in emergencies.
3. Church activity participation: This is to be cleared by administration.
4. Family emergencies: Students will be excused for family emergencies.
5. Funerals: Students will be excused if permission from parents or guardian is presented.
6. Illness during the day: Students who become ill during the school day must report to the nurse’s office before going home. Parents will be contacted in cases of illness and transportation will be arranged.
Students returning to school after using a blue pass must check in with the attendance secretary and have completed the destination portion of the blue pass. Failure to complete this portion may result in unexcused absence or loss of blue pass privileges.
BUILDING PASSES (Yellow Pass)
Students in grades 7-12 must sign out and have a signed pass detailing date, time and destination.
PRE-EXCUSED ABSENCES
All planned absences (family trips, college visits, funerals etc.) should be cleared through the Secondary School Office before the absence occurs. Students wishing to be excused from school may obtain an excuse by presenting a written permission request from a parent or guardian to the Secondary School Office in advance of the absence. A pre-excused permission slip will be issued which the student will take to each of his or her teachers. The teachers will sign the permission slip and discuss with the student the work to be made up.
COLLEGE VISITS
Make all arrangements for these visits through the counselors’ office and get a pre-excused absence slip from the attendance secretary. Juniors are permitted to make one visit, seniors two as an excused absence. No college visits will be allowed after April 30th each year.
MAKE-UP WORK AND INCOMPLETE GRADES
It is the responsibility of each student to make up work missed. Teachers have been instructed to hold the students accountable for all make-up work. When a student has been absent for a legitimate reason (excused absence) the number of days given to complete and receive credit for the work will be equivalent to the number of days classmates had to complete the same assignments or equal the number of days absent. If the number of days included a weekend or vacation period, the absent student will be granted the same number of days. If the assignment is not turned in when the period expires, it will be up to the teacher to decide whether or not full credit will be given. This decision will be made in accordance with the class rules that have been established by the involved teacher at the beginning of each semester. The responsibility to obtain all make-up materials and assignments will be that of the student and not that of the office personnel. The office staff may assist but cannot insure all make-up materials will be delivered. Students in grades 7-12 must complete all requirements established by individual instructors of that course. Due to an extended illness or extenuating circumstances, a student may be granted an incomplete. Any incomplete grade will become a failure two weeks after the conclusion of the class unless special arrangements have been made to complete the required work. This includes second semester grades.
EXCUSE FROM PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Students will not be excused from physical education class unless they present either of the following:
1. Doctor’s excuse. This excuse must include the length of time for non-participation from regular physical education or an adaptive physical education.
2. Parental excuse. This is valid for one class meeting.
SCHEDULE CHANGES
Classes may be changed only with the approval of administration, counselor, teachers, and parents under the following conditions:
1. The changes must produce an educational benefit for the student;
2. The student must complete a request form from the counselor’s office, which states the reason(s) for the change, course requests, and parent permission. The student must return the completed form to the counselor’s office before the change will be considered;
3. The student has open time in his or her schedule, which corresponds to the meeting time of the class to be added;
4. There is sufficient seating available for additions.
Note: If a class is dropped after the drop/add time period, the student receives an F in the class and is assigned to a restricted study hall unless the teacher, counselor and principal agree that the class is inappropriate for the student.