BENNINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENT HANDBOOK
2009-2010
301 N PutnamStreet
Bennington, KS 67422
School Office: 785-488-3321
School Fax: 785-488-2939
Website:
TWIN VALLEY USD 240 MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of USD 240 is to challenge and prepare all students to become responsible members of society dedicated to lifelong learning in an ever-changing world through a network of interaction among staff, students, parents, and community.
HIGH SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT
We will provide students with educational experiences to enable them to become contributing members of society and challenge them to become responsible, thinking decision makers.
WELCOME
Dear Students and Parents:
Welcome to the 2009-2010 school year and to the many learning opportunities that await you.
The purpose of the student handbook is to acquaint you with the policies and procedures of our school and USD 240. It is intended to be a “guide” and is not intended to be all-inclusive in covering every possible situation. Please take the time to familiarize yourself with the information inside and if you have any questions throughout the year, please feel free to meet with your counselor, a teacher, or me. Once again, we are glad you are a student of Bennington High School.
Bill Edwards
Principal
STATEMENT OF NON-DISCRIMINATION
The Twin Valley School District, USD 240, does not discriminate against any applicant, employee, or student in the admission or access to educational programs, activities, or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, marital status, veteran status, gender, age, or the presence of a non-job related medical condition or disability.
FOREWORD
It is our belief that the meaning of democracy and the resources to maintain it can best be supported through an educational program that will bring each student as far as possible into a devoted and intelligent citizenship.
Each student with whom the school comes in contact is a unique individual. Each is capable of learning, but no single method or approach can produce the desired growth in all. Success in learning may be enhanced through the development of abilities to plan work systematically, begin work promptly, work thoughtfully, contribute original ideas and materials, and finish work promptly.
It is understood that citizenship and personal effectiveness demand that each student be schooled to his/her natural limits in terms of his/her ability to "read, write, calculate, vote, hold office, make a living, keep a home, and keep the law." Education and life continue side by side, so it is desired that each student have the best educational opportunities that Bennington High School can provide.
CODE OF CONDUCT
We, the student body of Bennington High School, in order to attain high standards in our school activities, do hereby submit this Code of Conduct to be held in trust and respect by the students of this school.
We realize that we should always:
- Dress in good taste, presenting a healthy sense of personal dignity.
- Use courteous and suitable language at all functions.
- Show respect for fellow students, staff members and guests to BHS.
- Display good sportsmanship in the classroom and at all extra-curricular events.
- Be honest with ourselves and others in all activities.
- Employ self-discipline, respecting other students and school property.
- Conform to the decisions of the school administration.
- Conduct ourselves properly out of school, remembering that it is our behavior that determines the reputation of ourselves and our school.
- Conduct ourselves according to all aspects of good character.
Always remember:
Wherever you are, whatever you do, you represent not only
yourself, but your family, and Bennington High School.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
PERSONNEL
District Office Personnel G
Board of Education G
Bennington School Administration 2
Guidance Staff2
Certified Staff2
Classified Staff3
ENROLLMENT
Residency Policy 4
Guidelines for Enrollment as Fulltime Student4
Transfer Students from Non-Accredited Schools4
Reduced Schedule4
Repeating a Course 4
Class Schedule Changes 5
Guidelines for Dropping a Class 5
Summer School 5
Off-Campus Enrollment Options 5
Foreign Exchange Students5
Academic Progress of Students6 Graduation Exercise Participation 6 Graduation Requirements 6
Board of Regents Required High School Curriculum 7
Pre-college Curriculum Requirements Scholarship Applicants 7
Student Withdrawal Policy 8
Enrollment Fees8
Outstanding Fees, Unreturned or Damaged Property 8
Returned Checks8
COUNSELING
Post Secondary Education Opportunities9
Scholarships 9
Testing
ACT/SAT9-10
Kansas Assessment Tests 10
P.L.A.N.10
PSAT/NMSQT10
GRADING POLICY
Grading Policy 10
Grade Point Average (GPA) Calculation 11
Make-up Work Policy 11
Extended Absence Policy 11
Final Exam Policy 11
Student Withdrawal Policy 11
Report Cards 11
Honor Graduates 12
Honor Roll12
National Honor Society12
Transcripts12
Scholarships12
ATTENDANCE
Attendance Policy 13
Daily Bell Schedules13
Closed Campus 14
Excessive Tardies Procedure 14
Unexcused Absences 14
Severe Weather – School Closing 14
STUDENT CONDUCT
Academic Dishonesty15
Classroom Conduct 15
School Property 15
Bullying/Harassment15
Computer Use Guidelines 16
DISCIPLINE
Student Conduct 16
Discipline Options17
Detention17
In-School Suspension/Out-of-School Suspension17
Weapons or Dangerous Materials 18
Parental Notification18
Search of Students Property 18
Providence Working K-9’s18
Dress Code and Personal Appearance 18-19
Electronic Devices19
Food and Drink 19
Attendance Violation Policy19
Vandalism 20
Traffic Regulations 20
Bus Regulations21
STUDENT LIFE
Academic Letters21
Extra-Curricular Activities21
Heart of America League21
Sportsmanship21
Activities Participation22
Student Accident Insurance22
Eligibility Policy and Checks22
KSHSAA Handbook23
Lettering23
Lunch/Breakfast23
Building Hours23
Notice to Visitors23
Substance Abuse Policies23
Extra-Curricular Activities Participation24-25
Drug Testing Policy and Program26-37
NCAA Eligibility 38
Care of the School Building38
Use of the Vending Machines38
Lockers38
Fire Drills38
Tornado Drills 38
Social Functions38 Dance Participation 38
Book Bags in the Classroom38
Telephone Messages for Students 39
Visitors 39
Videos/Movies Usage Policy39
HEALTH SERVICES
Illness40
Immunizations40
Medications40
Health Procedures – Glucose Monitoring/Insulin Injections40
Head Lice41
Screenings41
APPENDIX
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
SPORTS SCHEDULES
FIGHT SONG/ALMA MATER
1
PERSONNEL
DISTRICT OFFICE PERSONNEL
USD 240 District Office
105 N Nelson Avenue
Bennington, KS 785-488-3325
Richard Harlan
Superintendent of Schools
Cindy Regnier
Clerk of the Board & Secretary
Janice Schmidt
Secretary
Tammy Jilka
Parents as Teachers Coordinator
Shawn Pecenka
Information Technology Coordinator
Kelly Fleming
Information Technology Specialist
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Mark Whitesell
Board President
Kelli Webb
Board Vice-President
Johnnie Adam
Board Member
Phil Aumick
Board Member
Rick Bremerman
Board Member
Matt Ehrhart
Board Member
Bernie Regnier
Board Member
BENNNINGTON SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
Bill EdwardsBHS Principal
Craig GantenbienBGS/BJHS Principal
Jason FeilAthletic Director HS & JHS
Lisa EverhartBHS Secretary
Jill LampeBGS/JHS Secretary
Angie AlexanderSchool Nurse
GUIDANCE STAFF
Rena MickBHS Counselor
Rosemary NeaderhiserHome/School Specialist, TRUCE Sponsor
Kathy LaflenSchool Psychologist
CERTIFIED TEACHING STAFF
Jennifer BartlettLibrarian, Class Sponsor (Sr.)
Misty BradleyMath, Class Sponsor (Sr.)
Cathy CashBand, Pep Band, Scholars Bowl, MTSS Comm.
Tami ConstableArt, FCA Sponsor
Tim DolloffMath, Head Boys Basketball, Class Sponsor (Jr.), MTSS Comm.
Jason FeilMath, Boys Golf, Athletic Director
Jim GishSocial Studies, Asst. Track
Elizabeth HarrisSpanish, Class Sponsor (10)
Lucas KentScience, Asst. Scholars Bowl, Science Olympiad
Bill LuthiIndustrial Technology, Class Sponsor (10)
Rena MickFACS, Head Cross Country & Track, Counselor
Juanita MorrisEnglish, Class Sponsor (9), I-Team
Bob MurraySocial Studies, Girls Golf, Class Sponsor
Matt PickrellSpecial Education, Head Football, Head Wrestling
Craig PlotnerVocal Music, Musical/Drama
Trudi RathbunPhysical Ed/Health, Asst. Girls Basketball
Bill ScheefSpeech, Forensics
TJ TroutEarth Science, Asst. Boys Basketball, Asst. Track
Don WagnerEnglish, Drama/Musical, Newspaper
Sherry WiesenBusiness, Yearbook, I-Team
Additional Coaches/Sponsors:
Vicky BrunerDance Team Sponsor
Todd BurrowHead Baseball
Danton McDiffettHead Volleyball
Darren RodineAsst. Softball
Travis ShaftAsst. Football
Emily SchmidtCheerleader Sponsor
Cary WilsonHead Girls Basketball
Tracy PiephoAsst. Football
Joe HeatherlyAsst. Football
Ron StratmanAsst. Baseball
TBDAsst. Track
TBDHead Softball
CLASSIFIED STAFF
Lisa EverhartSecretary
Tim BossHead Custodian
Don FeilCustodian/Maintenance
Ty ArnoldCustodian
Judy McCreadyCustodian
Tera ChancePara Educator
Cindy ClevelandPara Educator
Marva JorePara Educator
Deb HarrisPara Educator
Rhonda KirbyPara Educator
Nancy CumberlandPara Educator
Barb WebbHead Cook
Connie WeilandCook
Laurie ThornhillCook
Cook
BUS DRIVERS
Mandy GantenbienTransportation Coordinator, Driver
Tera ChanceDriver
Bill EhlersDriver
Deb HarrisDriver
Judy McCreadyDriver
Marsha TaylorDriver
ENROLLMENT
RESIDENCY POLICY with respect to students attending BHS and the USD 240 schools:
Students who are afforded an education in the facilities of this district are residents of the district, and when they cease to be a school resident of the district the district shall cease to furnish them with the educational facilities of this district, except as set forth below:
Non-resident students desiring to enroll in the district schools must complete an “Out-of-District” application for admission. This includes students who move out of the district during the school year. The building principal, the superintendent, and the Board of Education must approve this applicationprior to attendance in the school by the student. The final decision to approve a student rests with the Board, and it is under no obligation to accept any non-resident student. A parent/principal conference is required of all applicants, and the principal will investigate the conditions and background of each applicant and report to the superintendent.
The admission status of all non-resident students who have previously been admitted for attendance will be reviewed before the beginning of each school year, and a recommendation of renewal or non-renewal of said student for the coming school year will be given to the superintendent and the Board for their approval or non-approval each school year.
GUIDELINES FOR ENROLLMENT AS A FULLTIME STUDENT: Bennington High School has a seven-period day, plus a seminar period, from 8:15 AM to 3:25 PM. Students are required to be enrolled in seven classes per day plus the seminar period. Courses required for graduation must be attempted first at BHS before being taken off campus unless prior approval is given by the Principal.
TRANSFER STUDENTS FROM NON-ACCREDITED SCHOOLS/CREDIT GRANTED. The following policy will be followed in determining the amount of credit to be granted for students transferring to BHS from a non-accredited school:
-No credit will be awarded for courses not offered at BHS unless approved by the Principal
-Credit may be granted for transferring courses if a) the course work is in a sequential curricular area, and b) the next level of the course is taken and passed and BHS. Example 1: If Spanish 2 is passed at BHS, credit will be granted for Spanish 1 taken at the high school level at a non-accredited high school. Example 2: If Algebra 2 is passed at BHS, credit will be granted in Algebra 1 and Geometry taken at high school level at non-accredited high school.
-Courses taken at the non-accredited high school which are not sequential in nature will be considered for granting credit. Interviews will be held with the student and a representative of the department of the course(s) in question; the student will have the opportunity by various methods to demonstrate the level of mastery of the course content; if the Bennington representative is satisfied that the course content and level of mastery of the course is sufficient, credit will be awarded for the course(s).
-The grade for the transferring course(s) will be recorded as a 'P' for 'pass', and no grade points will be awarded toward the students overall GPA.
TRANSFER CREDITS FROM ACCREDITED SCHOOLS: BHS will accept all transfer credits from other accredited high schools. Required courses can only be taken for credit at an off-campus location with prior approval from the Principal.
REDUCED SCHEDULE: A reduced schedule is only available to students with extreme circumstances, or if a student is enrolled at Salina Technical School. Students desiring a reduced schedule must discuss the extreme circumstances with the principal and gain approval.
REPEATING A COURSE: If a student and/or parent choose for the student to repeat a course that is not normally repeated, and he/she previously passed and received credit for, the grade and award of credit will be based on the second attempt, if taken at BHS. The grade and credit from the first attempt will be removed from the student’s permanent record. If a student received a failing grade on the first attempt, the record of the first attempt will remain on the permanent transcript.
SCHEDULE CHANGES: The schedule of classes is set up, and teachers are hired and assigned, based upon student enrollment requests in the spring. Therefore class changes will not be possible except as follows:
- A class must be added to meet graduation requirements.
- Change is necessary because student is academically misplaced. (Must be recommended by teacher/counselor/parent and approved by administration.)
- Re-taking a class that was failed and is needed to meet graduation requirements.
- In cases initiated by the student, no more than two days of class have occurred and all procedures for a schedule change are followed.
No schedule change is effective until the proper schedule change forms are obtained from the counselor, forms are completed, all required signatures are obtained, and the form is returned to the counselor. Mrs. Mick will advise students regarding schedule changes and choices of possible classes available.
GUIDELINES FOR DROPPING A CLASS: If a student drops is dropped from a class after the first six weeks of a semester, the course will be recorded on the student’s transcript as WNC (withdrawn/no credit), and the no credit will be calculated in the student’s GPA. If a student’s schedule is reduced, the student will be put in supervised study class and required to be in attendance the entire school day.
SUMMER SCHOOL
Summer school credit does not count toward KSHSAA eligibility.
If a student completes a summer school class at a location other than BHS, i.e. USD 305 Summer School, etc., that grade will be added to the student’s transcript as a letter grade and calculated in the student’s GPA. It will not replace the grade received at BHS.
OFF-CAMPUS ENROLLMENT OPTIONS
- Juniors and seniors may choose to attend Salina Technical School, preferably in the morning (transportation is not provided by the school district).
- Eligible juniors and seniors may enroll in an on-line college course for one period per semester. Students must apply and request prior approval from their counselor. Students must submit proof of enrollment to the BHS administration within one week of the start of the semester. College courses shall not be used in the calculation of the student’s high school GPA or recorded on the transcript.
- Students must earn a grade of “C” or better to receive credit on their high school transcript from any off-campus course. STS grade(s) will be recorded on the official transcript and used in the calculation of the student’s high school GPA; concurrent college courses (taken from our teachers here at BHS) will receive the grade earned and are used in the calculation of the student’s high school GPA.
- Students taking off-campus courses who are concerned with eligibility should contact the AD, the counselor, or the principal.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENTS: All Foreign Exchange students must receive prior approval from the Principal or Counselor before being allowed to enroll. Request must be made in writing. Foreign Exchange students are required to be proficient in English prior to attendance at BHS. All requests to attend must include a transcript translated into English and all requests must be received at BHS by August 1 of each school year. Furthermore, the student must be enrolled prior to September 20 of each school year. BHS will accept up to 5 foreign exchange students per year. No more than 2 students from one country will be accepted each school year. No more than 2 foreign exchange students will be accepted from one program. No diplomas will be granted to foreign exchange students, and they will not go through the graduation exercises. They will be given a certificate of completion, and an official transcript of the completed coursework at BHS will be mailed to the student’s home school.
All foreign exchange students will enroll in a full schedule containing the following courses
U.S. History
U.S. Government
English – appropriate level
Math – appropriate level
Science – appropriate level
Electives
ACADEMIC PROGRESS OF STUDENTS: In order for a student to make minimal progress toward graduation at the end of his/her fourth year of high school attendance, the following unit requirements must be met:
MinimalNormal
Sophomore Classification 5 units of credit (end of 9th grade)6 ½ -7
Junior Classification12 units of credit (end of 10th grade)13 -14
Senior Classification18 units of credit (end of 11th grade)20 -21
GRADUATION EXERCISE PARTICIPATION: Senior students must complete all credit and graduation requirements before being allowed to participate in the graduation ceremonies. Additionally, all obligations such as fees and equipment must be resolved before your diploma and transcripts will be released.
Bennington High School
Graduation Requirements
SUBJECT AREA / CREDITS / SPECIFICALLYEnglish / 4 / 4 credits must be earned in English Comp & Lit
Social Studies / 3 / 1 credit must be in American History
½ credit must be in American Government
1 credit must be in World History
½ additional social studies credit
Science / 3 / Credits must include Biological, Physical and Earth/Space Concepts
Mathematics / 3 / Any 3 Math credits will fulfill this requirement
Physical Education/Health / 1 / This must be fulfilled by taking 1 semester of Basic PE and 1 semester of Health
Fine Arts / 1 / 1 credit in Music, Drama or Art
Speech / 1 / 1 credit of speech earned through year-long Speech course
Electives / 8 / All other classes besides those listed above will be considered elective classes
TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED / 24
KANSAS BOARD OF REGENTS REQUIRED HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM
QUALIFIED ADMISSIONS
Admissions Requirements: To qualify for admission to any of the six Kansas Regents universities, you must meet one of the following requirements: