North Star High School

NORTH STAR HIGH SCHOOL

400 Ohio St.

Boswell, PA 15531

(814) 629-6651 - phone

(814)629-9346 – fax

BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS

Mr. Martin BloughMr. Michael Revak

Mr. Bernard CarlsonMrs. Carol Shaulis

Mrs. Colleen DeLucaMrs. Cindy West

Mr. David LichliterMrs. Gina Wiedenhoft

Mr. Wayne Lohr - President

DISTRICT STAFF

Mr. Louis M. LepleySuperintendent

Mr. Thaddeus KiesnowskiHigh School Principal

Mr. Cheryl SladeEast/Middle School Principal

Mrs. Renee L. LepleyCentral Elementary Principal

Mrs. Melissa GarmanDirector of Federal Programs/Curriculum

Mrs. Suzanne St. ClairDirector of Special Education

Ms. Jennifer LittleSchool Psychologist

Mr. Stacy SchmittAthletic Director/Resource Officer

Mr. Brandon StuderBusiness Manager

Mrs. Karen WertzFood Service Director

Mr. Terry OhlerMaintenance Director

Mr. Janson Rodger / Adam BorodachTechnology Director –Inshore Technologies

Mrs. Bridget LeonardTechnology Project Coordinator

Mr. William Chad DuryeaHead Teacher

Mrs. Nicole BowersSchool Counselor

Mrs. Christine WiltSchool Counselor

Mrs. Becky ShontofskiSchool Nurse

Mrs. Kelcy PeleskySchool Social Worker (K-12)

Mrs. Korie DuryeaTransition Coordinator / Gifted Teacher

Lindsay DempseyAutistic Support

HIGH SCHOOL OFFICE PERSONNEL

Mrs. RaeLynn BudzinaAssistant to the Principal/Attendance

Mrs. Holly KapitanDiscipline

Mrs. Sherry BerkebileAssistant to Guidance

TABLE OF CONTENTS and ACADEMIC INFORMATION

High School Staffpg. 3

Mission/Visionpg. 4

Academicspg. 4

Honor Rollpg. 4

Determination of Class Rank & GPApg. 5

Graduation Planpg. 5-6

Keystone Exam Proficiencypg. 5-6

Make-Up Workpg. 6-7

Homework Policypg. 7

Mid-Term /Online Grades/Tutorial Programspg. 7-8

Schedulingpg. 8-9

National Honor Societypg. 10

NCAA Eligibilitypg.11

Extracurricular Activitiespg. 12

Extracurricular Eligibilitypg. 13

Extracurricular Attendancepg. 14

Substance Use/Abusepg. 15

Code of Ethicspg. 15

Dancespg. 16

Transportationpg.16-17

Attendancepg. 17-20

Bell Schedulepg. 21

Facility/Servicespg. 22

Medication at Schoolpg. 23

Disciplinepg. 23-34

BUSINESS DEPARTMENTpg.35-36

COLLEGE CLASSESpg. 37-43

ENGLISH DEPARTMENTpg.44-48

FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCE DEPARTMENTpg.49-50

MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENTpg.51-55

PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENTpg.56-57

PREFORMING ARTSpg. 58

SCIENCE DEPARTMENTpg.59-64

SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENTpg.65-68

SPECIAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENTpg.69

TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION DEPARTMENTpg.70-72

VISIUAL ARTS DEPARTMENTpg. 73-75

WORLD LANGUAGE DEPARTMENTpg. 76-81

SOMERSET COUNTY TECHNOLOGY CENTER (SCTC)pg. 82-86

HIGH SCHOOL FACULTY

Mrs. Gale BalaSpanish/Reading

Mr. Mikel BalsleyPhysics/Math

Mrs. Jennifer BlucasFamily & Consumer Science

Mr. Michael BlucasSpecial Education

Mr. Zachary BoyerNorth Star Cyber Program

Mrs. Lindsay CarbonaraMathematics

Mrs. Carol ChappieSpecial Education

Ms. Melissa CordenLibrary

Mrs. Karen ConradBusiness

Mr. Anthony CrisafulliMathematics

Mr. Dustin DelucaSocial Studies

Mr. Ian DivelyVocal Music

Mr. W. Chad DuryeaPhysical Education/Driver Ed.

Mrs. Ramona EvansSpecial Education

Mr. Mark GerneyEnglish

Ms. Ashley GriffithSocial Studies

Mrs. Tracey KoontzPhysical Education/Health/Driver Ed

Mr. Sal LascariSocial Studies

Mrs. Anne LohrMathematics

Mrs. Catherine LohrSpecial Education

Mrs. Kelly McDanielsMathematics

Mr. Thomas MillerSpecial Education

Mrs. JoAnn MishkoFrench/Spanish

Mr. Steve MroskoArt

Mr. Brad OttBiology

Mrs. Allison PrzybyszEnglish

Ms. Renee SaylorEnglish

Mrs. Marian ShannonEnglish

Mrs. Jen ShutyInstrumental Music

Mr. David SladeTechnology Education

Mr. Bryan SpanglerTechnology Education

Mr. Matthew StatlerChemistry

Mr. Vincent SzczurEarth/Space Science

Mission:

The North Star School District will provide its students with the skills needed to successfully develop their academic, technological, physical, artistic, and social potential. Cooperation between schools, family, community, and business will enable our students to emerge as productive citizens ready to embrace and enjoy a lifetime of learning.

Vision:

The North Star School District will be a leader in education, providing a safe and secure learning environment conducive to our students’ achievement of their personal best.

Academics

Organization

Eleven (11) period day with eight (8) whole class periods approximately 44 minutes in length. The school year is 180 days and includes 2 semesters with a total of 4 marking periods. Specific requirements established by each individual teacher for every course will be distributed to students, discussed with each class, posted in classrooms.

Grades

Grades will be calculated with the following percentages:

A = 92-100% B = 83-91% C = 70-82% D = 60-69% F = 0-59%

For scholarships and other student competitions, quality points will be used:

A = 4 B = 3 C = 2 D = 1 F = 0

*Indicates that the student has not completed all course requirements. Course work must be completed within 45 days or the student will receive an “F” for any work not completed.

I - Indicates Incomplete

WD - Indicates the student withdrew from the course within the required time limit. No penalty accompanies this grade.

WF- Indicates course withdrawal after the established limit. The student receives a failure grade in the course. This does affect the GPA of the student.

NC - Credit denied due to lack of attendance.

Honor Roll:

All A’s and/or B’s (no C’s, D’s or F’s) or a combination of both A’s/B’s in all subjects.

DETERMINATION OF CLASS RANK AND G.P.A. (GRADE POINT AVERAGE)

The Board acknowledges the necessity for a system of computing grade point averages and class rank for secondary school students to inform students, parents and others of their relative academic placement among their peers.

The Board authorizes a system of class rank, by, grade point average (GPA) for students in grades 9-12. All students in a grade/class shall be ranked.

Class rank shall be computed by the grade point average (GPA) in all subjects for which credit is awarded.

GPA will be calculated every semester. An A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0, D=1.0. For all Honor Courses, Advanced Placement Courses and Dual Enrollment Courses receive an additional weight by adding (1/2) quality point to the grade achieved by the student, providing that the student earns a final grade of at least a “C” (e.g. A=4.5, B=3.5, C=2.5).

Any two (2) or more students whose computed grade point averages are identical shall be given the same rank. The rank of the student who immediately follows a tied position will be determined by the number of students preceding and not by the rank of the proceeding person.

A student's grade point average and rank in class shall be entered on the student's record and transcripts and shall be subject to Board policy on release of student records.

Valedictorian and Salutatorian will be determined at the end of the fourth nine weeks in grade 12.

North Star High School Graduation Plan

Students will be required to meet the following three criteria for graduation from the North Star School District.

1. Completion of 24 credits
2. 4 – English
3. 4 – Social Studies
4. 3 – Science
5. 3 – Mathematics
6. 1 – Health/Physical Education
7. 1 – Arts & Humanities (Foreign Language)
8. .75 – Computer
9. .25 – Driver Education
10. 7 – Electives

(SCTC Students - * 0.25 credits of Computer, * 0.50 credits of Health/Physical Education, * 9.00

credits of Electives)

2. Students must score advanced or proficient in required areas of the applicable Keystone Exams.

Any student exempted from the Keystone Exam shall be required to show proficiency by taking an end-of-course final exam, locally produced and comparable in rigor to the Keystone Exam. Students taking the end-of course local exam must demonstrate proficiency by scoring 90% correct on each final exam. Students may retake the exam following a designated period of supplemental instruction.

3. Students not meeting the criteria for graduation will be evaluated for graduation candidacy as follows:

1. Students not successfully completing twenty-four (24) credits as listed in Board policy will be required to take summer school courses (at their own expense) to complete requirements or repeat course work the following school year.
2. Students not scoring at the advanced or proficient level will be required to:

1)Attend remediation classes for supplemental instruction.

2)Retake the state assessment when next available.

4. Students must score proficient or advanced on the Keystone Exams, the Keystone Exam retest, the local final exam (Keystone Exempt Students Only) or the Project Based Assessments in order to graduate. The graduating class of 2019 is the first graduating class that must demonstrate proficiency in Algebra I, Biology, and Literature in order to meet state graduation requirements.

5. These graduation requirements go into effect beginning with the class of 2014.

MAKE-UP WORK

The following guidelines have been established for make-up work in the high school.

1. If a student is absent from class for one (1) day, he/she, upon return to school, is required to submit all work due that was assigned prior to the day of absence and take test(s) assigned prior to the day of absence provided no new material on the test was taught that day.

1. If a student is absent from class for more than one day, the student has make-up days equivalent to the number of days absent from the day he/she returns to school to make-up all work (tests, quizzes, assignments, etc.). It is the responsibility of the student to meet with the teacher before or after class to make proper arrangements and secure the information needed regarding the tests, etc., that needs to be completed.

1. In extenuating circumstances, when a student has been absent due to illness, accident, etc. for more than seven consecutive days, provisions may be made to extend the timeline for make-up work.

1. Students who fail to fulfill their responsibilities for make-up will receive a “0” for the work, tests, etc. not completed.

*Students who are absent from class for excused reasons, including approved school activities must be given the opportunity to make up all work and cannot be penalized academically for not being present in class, provided they complete all make-up work according to the above guidelines.

Students who participate in an approved school activity must check with their teachers to receive information concerning classroom work prior to participating in the activity.

Approved school activities include those listed on the daily bulletin, field trips, school programs, athletic events, etc. Visits to the guidance office, other teacher’s areas, are notlegitimate reasons to be absent from a scheduled class unless previously approved by the scheduled classroom teacher.

HOMEWORK POLICY

Each student has the responsibility to develop good work and study habits. The student in preparing the assignment should:

1. Make sure he/she understands the assignment – its purpose, when it is due, how it should be done.

1. Ask for further explanation if original directions are not completely understood prior to due date.

1. Arrange to make up missed assignments as required by the teachers.

1. Budget time for homework. Anticipate 90-120 minutes of cumulative homework daily. When study time is provided during the school day the student should take advantage of it. Long-term assignments should be planned so they do not have to be done all at one. Honors or advance placement courses may require additional time for assignments.

1. Analyze study habits and take advantage of available study aids.

1. Write homework in a neat and legible manner on appropriate paper.

MID-TERMS/ONLINE GRADES

At approximately the middle of each nine week grading period, a mid-term report will be generated from PowerSchool. On this day, students will be given their current percentage grade. The parents should contact the teacher or school counselor if they have questions or would like to schedule a conference.

It is recommended that parents contact the teacher or make an appointment to meet with them if their child is failing. In this way the parent/guardian will know specific causes of the deficiency and may be given suggestions for helping their child improve.

North Star parents have the opportunity to access individual grades that have been assigned to the student by the classroom teachers that have been entered into the grade book electronically through PowerSchool as well as lunch account balances. To receive access to this information for your child, parents must come to the child’s school office. You will then be given a user name and password.

Students in grades 9 -12 also have the opportunity to access their grades. Students are encouraged to use their PowerSchool access on a regular basis to help maintain their grades and follow up on any missing assignments.

TUTORIAL PROGRAMS

Teachers will be available daily from the time of dismissal until 3:15 for tutoring with a prior appointment. This time can be used to review extra classroom assignments. It is the student’s responsibility to request an appointment; moreover it is the student’s responsibility to arrange transportation home after the tutoring session is complete. No student is permitted on school property if not under the supervision of a member of the District Staff.

SCHEDULING

Scheduling for the following school year is done each spring. All students and parents will receive information on how to access an electronic copy of the Program of Studies for the North Star School District. Discussions of this curriculum guide will be conducted for all classes by the School Counselors and Principal. A parent/guardian night may be scheduled so that parents/guardians interested in general explanations of courses of study may hear them.

SCHEDULING NOTES

All ninth and tenth graders are required to schedule 8.0 credits. (There are limited Learning Periods at those grade levels.) Eleventh graders are required to schedule a minimum of 7.5 credits, and 7.0 credits for twelfth graders.

All seniors should strongly consider enrollment in a senior year mathematics and science course. Mathematics skills are considered vital to career success and/or to success in post secondary education. Students who are interested in attending a 4 year post-secondary institution will be required to take a senior year math and science course.

Students planning post-secondary education are encouraged to enroll in a minimum of three years of a Foreign Language. Many colleges and universities now require this for admission.

The administration reserves the right to cancel undersubscribed courses. Students will be notified of course cancellations and will be advised of alternative selections.

Please choose course selections carefully.

Schedule Changes

1. Students will be permitted to make adjustments in their course selections according to the timetable that accompanies the scheduling information. Changes in Honors or Advanced Placement classes should also follow the timetable.

1. All course selections will take place by completing a schedule change request form and/or requesting the counselor to schedule an appointment to discuss options.

1. Classes that the student specifically selects and fit in their schedule, WILL NOT be changed.

1. Deadlines to change schedules will be set yearly. Parents and students will receive notification.

AFTER THE DEADLINE, CHANGES WILL ONLY BE MADE FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:

a)A computer scheduling error occurred.

b)A student failed a course, needs to repeat it, and the change did not occur. (Usually this change will automatically occur.)

c)A student desires to add an additional elective course in place of a Learning Period. (This will only be considered if the desired course is not full.)

DROP/ADD POLICY

All students will receive a tentative schedule during the summer months. Students who desire to drop or add a course may do so following the deadlines outlined in the summer mailing. Additionally, once the deadlines pass or once school begins, students may drop/add courses only if:

a)There is an error in the schedule that affects graduation requirements or

b)Students would like to drop a Learning Period and take an elective class offered during that same period, providing the elective class is not closed due to enrollment capacity

No schedule changes of any kind will be made after the first five days of a semester.

If a student drops a course after the first five days of a semester, he/she will receive a “WF” indicating withdrawal failure for the final grade. This grade will be included in calculating GPA and class rank.

A student may not drop a course if he/she is unable to maintain his/her enrollment with a minimum of 7.0 credits as a senior, 7.5 credits as a junior, 8.0 credit as a sophomore and 8.0 credits as a freshmen.

National Honor Society

1. To be eligible for election to membership in this chapter, the candidate must have been in attendance for a period equivalent to one (1) semester in this school.
2. Candidates eligible for election to this chapter must be of the junior or senior class.
3. Candidates eligible for election to the chapter shall have a minimum scholarship average of 90% (3.5 GPA).
4. They MUST be enrolled in at least one honors level class, and/or one Dual Enrollment class and/or one AP classes. They must be enrolled in one of these and pass with a C or better the 1st semester of the current school year.
5. Also, they must not have a 69% or lower in any class (core, elective or otherwise) at any time during their high school career.
6. All students who can rise to or above this standard may be admitted for candidacy for election to membership.
7. You must submit a short (150-300 word) essay confirming what ways you have shown character, leadership and service during your years at North Star High School. The activities you emphasize may be in/or outside of school and may consist of sport, clubs, volunteer work, or helping others in some way. Your ability to hold a part time job while maintaining the grades and qualification for acceptance is also considered.
8. If the essay is submitted by the due date specified; eligibility shall then be considered on service, leadership and character qualities. These qualities are evaluated from the entire staff. Staff member will have access to your essay to help with this process.
9. Candidates must be mindful that the actions of their past in regards to service, leadership and character may have a direct result on their consideration for membership.
10. Keep in mind your academic performance, as well as your leadership and character If you are inducted you can be dismissed if your grades fall below par or your character, service or leadership qualities in question. Once dismissed, you are never again eligible for membership in the National Honors Society.
11. If you feel you have met ALLthe aboverequirements and did not receive a letter of acceptance in the mail you have the option to appeal the process. This process starts withYOU, personally, meeting with at leastone of the NHSadvisors to determine why you were not selected. From there you will be presented with the guidelines for appeal process.

NCAA ELIGIBILITY

The NCAA is made up of three membership classifications that are known as Divisions I, II and III. Each division creates its own rules governing personnel, amateurism, recruiting, eligibility, benefits, financial aid, and playing and practice seasons – consistent with the overall governing principles of the Association. Every program must affiliate its core program with one of the three divisions.