Lakeridge Junior High School

LAKERIDGE JUNIOR HIGH STUDENT POLICIES

These policies and procedures have been developed in order for us to operate Lakeridge junior high school in an orderly manner. We are following the guidelines given to us by the Alpine School District board of education.

Assemblies	Athletic Eligibility	Attendance Policy	Discipline Policy	Dress Code
Grading System	Harassment	Leopard Academy	Lockers	School Safety
Student Conduct	Student Recognition	Suspension & Expansion	Visitors

Follow the BIG SIX

Maintain a positive learning attitude in the classroom.
Cooperate with fellow students, teachers and staff members to make Lakeridge a positive school.
Use good judgment in making decisions concerning personal behavior.
Maintain a safe, clean, drug-free environment. We do not tolerate drugs, tobacco, weapons, or alcohol.
Engage in behavior that enhances everyone’s self worth and school spirit.
Cell phones can only be used before and after school. Cell phone use during the school day and during lunch hour is prohibited. If a student needs to use a phone during the school day they can use the office phone.

IMPORTANT STUDENT BEHAVIOR INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING

Ipods, radios, headsets, and CD’s are not used in the building. Please do not bring these items to school.
Trading cards, toys and other distracting items are to be left at home.
No inappropriate language allowed on school grounds.
Do not run, push, shove, or yell in the halls during passing time.
All students in the halls during class time must have their planner hall pass.
Skateboards, roller blades, and scooters are not permitted at school.

DRESS CODE - ALPINE SCHOOL DISTRICT

Board Policy (5152) - As fads and extremes of dress and appearance tend to attract improper attention to the individual and interfere with the educational process, the Alpine District Board of Education requires all of its students to conform to standards that avoid extremes and that exemplify personal cleanliness.

Dress Code – Activities

The same basic dress and grooming standards for regular school will apply to all school-sponsored activities. When special dress-up days or theme dances are sponsored by the school, all students are expected to comply with established school standards of modesty.

Guidelines
HAIR

Hair should be clean and well groomed.
Hair styles distracting in appearance or needing constant attention are not acceptable.

CLOTHING

All students are required to wear appropriate footwear. Footwear must not mark or damage floors.
Wearing hats, bandanas, or other hair coverings is not permitted at school.
Shorts and skirts must be modest in length and approach the knees.
Extreme or distracting facial makeup is not acceptable.
Chains and spikes are not allowed as part of school attire.
Shirts, blouses and dresses must have sleeves that cover the shoulder.
Halters and bare midriffs are not acceptable.
Clothing with vulgar words, profane or obscene slogans, pictures, or advertisements for alcohol, tobacco, and drugs or those that promote violence or sexual harassment are not acceptable.
Adherence to these dress and grooming standards are the responsibility of the student and his/her parent or guardian.Failure to conform will involve the school providing alternative clothing or sending students home to change.

ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY

Students must maintain a “C” average academically and may not have more than one “U” in citizenship.

LJHS ATTENDANCE POLICY

Attendance is one of the most significant factors affecting student achievement in school. Opportunities for success during and after secondary schooling are also directly affected by a student’s attitude towards attendance in junior high school. In order to assist students in their efforts to be academically successful and responsible citizens, LJHS expects students to be in class, prepared, and on time each day. The objectives of the Lakeridge Junior High School Attendance Guidelines are to:

Teach responsible behavior by encouraging students to be accountable for their attendance.
Support parent and student efforts in promotion of school attendance.
Provide a safe, effective, uninterrupted learning environment for every student. LJHS complies with state and district school attendance policies which assure fairness and provide flexibility and accountability on the part of students, parents, and the school. LJHS believes school attendance is a community effort which requires responsibility from all parties involved in order to resolve any concerns prior to referral to the district office or juvenile court system.

ABSENCES

When a student is absent from school, the student must be officially request that the school excuses the absence by the means of a note or phone call.
It is the responsibility of the student to get make-up work from their teachers.
Parents are encouraged not to check students out for anything but emergencies and important family circumstances.
After evaluating a situation, school administration reserves the right to determine if a student’s absence is excused or un-excused.
School secretaries will verify student absences daily.
Any student that misses (10) consecutive school days will be reported to state and district agencies, except for extenuating circumstances such as sickness.

STUDENTS LEAVING SCHOOL DURING THE DAY

Parents and guardians desiring to check their students out of school during the school day will need to personally check them out at the school’s attendance office with one of the school’s attendance secretaries. Students may not be checked out over the phone. Students will not be released from school, except through the attendance office in presence of the requesting parent or guardian.
A student may not leave campus grounds and then return to excuse the absence after the fact.
A student leaving campus without properly checking out is considered truant.
Only parents and responsible adults listed on the student’s emergency notification form may check a student out of school.

TRUANCY

If a student’s absence from the school campus or assigned class is not excused, that student is considered truant.
A student deemed to be truant by the school administration may not be excused by the parent.
A student that is truant may not expect to make up assignments, tests, etc... unless the teacher permits it.

Consequences
1. On the First truancy, the student will be assigned one day of In School Suspension (ISS). The administration will notify parents.
2. On the Second truancy, the student will be assigned two days of Out of School Suspension (OSS). Administration will notify parents. They will be required to meet with administration and the student to create and sign an attendance contract.
3. On the Third truancy, the student will be suspended Out of School for two days. The parents will be notified by administration. The student will also be referred to district truancy school.
4. On the Fourth truancy, students will be suspended Out of School for two days and referred to juvenile court.

TARDIES

A student is tardy if he or she is not in the classroom when the tardy bell rings.
A student who arrives more than 15 minutes late is marked (V) which is considered an absence by LJHS.
On the student’s second tardy, it is the teacher’s responsibility to consult with the student on the situation. A verbal warning may be issued at this time.
On the third tardy, it is the teacher’s responsibility to notify the designated administrator. The student will be assigned to lunch duty by administration at this time.
On the fourth tardy, it is the teacher’s responsibility to notify designated administrator. The administrator will notify parents. This tardy will result in an additional School Suspension for one day.
On the fifth tardy and beyond, it is the responsibility of the teacher to notify designated administrator. This action will result in additional School Suspensions.
The school can initiate tardy lockouts anytime during the school year. Consequences in these actions will be determined by the administration.

STUDENT CONDUCT DISCIPLINE CODE

ATTEND CLASS
BE ON TIME AND PREPARED
CONTRIBUTE TO A SAFE SCHOOL
ENVIRONMENT
MAINTAIN CIVILITY IN COMMUNICATIONS
RESPECT OTHERS AND PROPERTY
CONTRIBUTE POSITIVELY TO THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
1. The first step in proper school conduct begins at home. Parents should help their students establish high expectations of behavior and academic progress.
2. The second step involves the teacher acting in place of the parent (in loco parentis) establishing clear, fair and consistent classroom rules. This discipline plan should be given to students at the beginning of the school year in a course disclosure that goes home to parents. It is strongly encouraged for all teachers to create a classroom discipline and management plan. A copy of this plan will also be given to administration.
3. If inappropriate behavior occurs, as both a matter of policy and courtesy, the teacher is responsible to contact parents and then refer the student to counseling or administration, depending on the offense. Inappropriate student behaviors are those that interfere with other student’s right to learn or the teacher’s right to teach. Behaviors that should be referred to administration immediately are noted separately. All others will be referred to counseling first.
4. Chronic student misconduct or lack of achievement should be referred to the counseling department, and parents notified. The counselor has special training to help students evaluate and reflect on their behaviors. Efforts will be made to create an intervention plan that can help the student become successful.
5. If the intervention plan fails to change the inappropriate behavior, and the student does not comply, the teacher will again refer the student to a counselor, who will subsequently refer the student to administration.

BEHAVIORS THAT REQUIRE IMMEDIATE ADMINISTRATION NOTIFICATION AND WILL RESULT IN SUSPENSION

Any action that poses a threat to the safety of students, faculty, staff or property.
Fighting (all parties involved).
Selling, consuming, distributing drugs, alcohol, or tobacco.
Possession of weapon.
Theft.
Possession of sexually explicit material or content.
Vulgar and or profane language.
Dress code violation (If student refuses to comply).
Bullying and harassment (physical, verbal, sexual).

BRIEF SCHOOL DISCIPLINE POLICY OUTLINE

Student/teacher conference, to discuss appropriate classroom behavior.
Upon subsequent violation, teachers should contact parents to ask for support and home interventions.
If violations continue, the teacher should refer the student to the appropriate counselor. (Teachers should use the appropriate referral form) Implement intervention plan in conjunction with counselors and parents.

HARASSMENT - BULLYING

VERBAL AND PHYSICAL harassment of another student is a serious offense. No one at Lakeridge will have to tolerate bullies or other students who verbally threaten or intimidate. Verbal harassment has many expressions. We will not tolerate students who laugh at another person’s expense. Such immature and insensitive behavior may result in an office referral, parent contact, and possible suspension from school.

District policy prohibits SEXUAL HARASSMENT of any nature, including adult to student, student to adult, or student to student. Sexual harassment is defined as unwanted conduct or communication of a sexual nature that adversely affects a person’s educational opportunities, relationships, or environment. Inappropriate behavior would include but is not limited to:

Abuse (visual or verbal): such as the display of demeaning posters, cartoons, nudity or offensive sexual jokes.
Visual or verbal expressions about an individual that are sexual in nature.
Unwelcome, or inappropriate touching or nontouching actions that are offensive in nature or that are visually or emotionally shocking to the conscience of a reasonable person.

SUSPENSION & EXPULSION

Students will be held responsible for their actions and will conduct themselves in keeping with the rules of the school, showing regard for established authority and the rights and welfare of others. Any unlawful act taking place on school grounds not only makes the student subject to the penalties that the court prescribes, but may also result in the suspension or expulsion from school.

Students may be suspended or referred to a district hearing for possible expulsion by the principals. The following may be some causes for suspension or expulsion:

Willful or inappropriate conduct; insubordination.
Writing or using profane and obscene language, or possessing obscene materials on or around school property or at school-sponsored activities.
The use or possession of tobacco, alcohol, or other narcotics on the school premises or at school sponsored activities. The students involved will be referred to the police.
Truancy (absence from school or a class without appropriate school permission).
Vandalism: Persons found responsible for destroying or damaging school property are required to reimburse the school for the cost of replacing or repairing the damages. Vandalism is a crime. Students will be referred to the police.
Any violation of the Safe School Policy.
Fighting (usually both parties involved).
Theft.
Violation of Sexual Harassment policy.
Public displays of Affection (PDA) Students who are suspended will be reinstated only after a satisfactory conference has been held with parents, the pupil, and the school officials. The suspended student will be responsible for obtaining and making up all assignments missed during the time of the suspension.

STUDENT RECOGNITION AND REWARDS

At Lakeridge Jr. High, we are very excited for our student recognition and rewards program. Lakeridge Jr. has a rich tradition of success in academics, the arts and athletics. As an administration, faculty, and staff, we want to recognize our students for all the great things they do to contribute to a wonderful educational experience. Thank you for all your efforts in making Lakeridge the greatest.

High Honor and Honor Roll Students

At the end of each term, Lakeridge rewards these students with candy bars and an Ice Cream Social. High Honor students must achieve a 4.0 GPA. Honor Roll students must achieve a 3.75 GPA.

Student of the Day

Each day, a seventh grader, eighth grader, and a ninth grader will be randomly selected to be Student of the Day. They will be called down to the main office during Channel One each day. Each student will receive a candy bar.

Student of the Week

Every week three students are selected as Student of the Week. Each student receives various prizes, a letter home to parents or guardians recognizing their achievement, an their picture will be posted in the school media center.

The “Wheel”

This program is set up to reward those students who make the effort to be on time to class each day. It is valuable to be in your seat when the bell rings. This program is also set up to reward those students who are positive citizens in their respective classrooms. In the student planner there is a page titled “Tardy Tracker”. There are spaces to place small round stickers. The teachers will distribute the stickers when appropriate. To receive a gold “L” sticker, the student must be on time to class five consecutive days. It is the responsibility of the student to inform the teacher that he or she has reached this mark. Each row represents a class period. When a row is filled, the student is eligible to spin “The Wheel” at lunch. Prizes on the wheel will include TVs, stereos, walkmans, gift certificates, sports gear, and much more. Students may also receive a spin for filling in the citizenship spaces. Any teacher may award a sticker for citizenship. We sincerely appreciate all those students who value being prompt and responsible.

School Hours

Supervised school hours are 7:25 to 3:45. Please leave the school promptly after hours.

Patron of the Month

Lakeridge Jr. High is a learning community, “It takes a village to raise a child”. We believe it is important to recognize the great patrons that support our students. Once per month we will recognize a person or persons for their contributions to Lakeridge Jr.

9th Grade Farewell Night

This night at the end of the school year is set aside as a very special evening. It is a formal occasion. Teachers recognize and reward all those students who have excelled in their class or department. It is also an evening for outgoing 9th graders to reflect on the great times at Lakeridge Jr. High and look forward to an exciting educational experience at their high school.

Lagoon

At the end of the school year, this exciting 9th grade activity is a reward for a great school year. The administration reserves the right to suspend any student from these activities based on school violations prior to the activity.

LEOPARD ACADEMY

What is the Mission of Leopard Academy?

To give all students the opportunity to become competent, and to have success in all academic subjects, especially Math, English, and Reading.

What is Leopard Academy?

Using the PLATO computer program students will get a personalized academic program to help them succeed. Leopard Academy will focus on Math, Reading, and English skills.

Why Leopard Academy?

We feel all students can learn when they are given appropriate motivation and time. The Leopard Academy is designed to give struggling students extra motivation to have success, or the extra time needed to have success in school. Leopard Academy is not a punishment, but a way to help students who need extra help succeed.

Who attends Leopard Academy?

We want all students at Lakeridge Junior High to succeed. Any student that has received a failing grade in Math, English, or Reading will need to make up that failing grade by attending Leopard Academy. We want you as a student to learn, and these programs are designed to help you learn and have success.

We feel all subjects are important to the success of all students. Any student who has attended the Parent/Teen program and fails another term will then be required to attend Leopard Academy to make up for every failed grade.

How does Leopard Academy help me make up a failing grade?

In order to make up a failing grade the student will need to attend eight two-hour sessions of Leopard Academy. Leopard Academy runs from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sessions will be determined by the amount of students who need to attend. Each student will attend twice a week for a four-week period. Once the student has completed the sessions and shown mastery in the essential understandings for the failed class, the teacher may change the failing grade to a passing “P”.

What is the cost of Leopard Academy?

The cost of Leopard Academy is $20. This money will be used to pay the Leopard Academy instructor and any aides or tutors that are needed for the class. Scholarships may be available to cover the cost of Leopard Academy on a limited basis.

CLOSED CAMPUS

You may not leave campus at lunchtime unless you have a note from a parent or your parent has contacted the office. Students who live close enough to eat lunch at home and return in time for their next class may apply for a “Home Lunch Permit.” This permit is available in the office and must be signed by the student’s parent/guardian before they are valid. Lack of adherence to this policy will be handled as a truancy.

TRANSPORTATION - BUS

Bus drivers will instruct you concerning bus rules, but generally they are the same as those we expect while students are in the school. Students must be careful while boarding busses after school. Never approach a moving bus or run along beside the busses as they enter or leave the parking lot. Riding the school bus is a privilege.

FIRST AID - MEDICATIONS

We are only authorized to administer first aid of a very simple type to anyone injured at school. We are not permitted to change any dressing on previous injuries, wrap sprains, or administer medication. Parent permission is required for the administering of aspirin or other such medications. All medications must be checked in with the front office.

SCHOOL SAFETY

The Alpine School District Safe School Policy prohibits disruptive acts; dangerous weapons; hazing/harassment; abetting; gangs, secret societies, and hate groups; and the other prohibited acts defined and described in these rules and regulations.

Disruptive Acts

Acts that disrupt the daily operations of the school include, but are not limited to: physical or sexual assault, intimidation, aggression, possessing or displaying a dangerous weapon.

Dangerous Weapons

Any item capable of causing death or serious bodily injury, or a facsimile or representation of the item. Dangerous weapons as defined by these rules shall include, but are not limited to: firearms, knives, metal knuckles, straight razors, explosives, poisons, drugs, etc.

Hazing/Harassment

Intimidation of a student or staff member, or any act that injures, degrades or disgraces a student or staff member.

Abetting

The supporting, encouraging, participating, and/or assisting in activities which violate the safe school policy.

Gang/Secret Societies/Hate Groups

A group of two or more people who form an allegiance and engage in a range of disruptive behaviors that may include violent or unlawful activity or which advocate hatred or discrimination on the basis of race, religion, sex, national origin or disability.

Students are prohibited from the following:

Wearing, possessing, using, distributing, displaying or selling any clothing, jewelry, emblems, symbols, signs or other things that are evidence of membership or affiliation in any gang, secret society, or hate group.
Committing acts or using speech, either verbal or nonverbal (gestures, handshakes, etc.) that show membership or affiliation in gangs, secret societies or hate groups.
Using speech or committing any acts in furtherance of the interest of gang, group, or society, including, but not limited to:
1. Soliciting others for membership.
2. Requesting persons to pay for protection or intimidating or threatening any person.
3. Committing other illegal acts or violations of school district policies.
4. Inciting other students to act with physical violence upon another person.
5. Defacing school property (i.e., books, lockers, walls, etc.)

BE A SURVIVOR

If school-wide violence (i.e. gun fire) occurs, here are four ways to increase your possibilities of being a survivor.

Get away from the violence
Follow teacher’s instructions by remaining locked in the classroom.
Get under a table, desk, or chair, and remain low to the ground.
If violence is in the room where you are, play dead.

VANDALISM

Students who engage in acts of vandalism will be responsible to pay for all damages. Acts of vandalism may be referred to the police and result in school suspension.

VISITORS - BE OUR GUEST

Adult visitors to the school must first check in at the front office. Student visitors are not allowed. Students from other schools, who are loitering, will face a misdemeanor charge of trespassing. The police will be called.

ASSEMBLIES

Student behavior while attending assemblies should be much like behavior required while in class. Students who misbehave in an assembly will lose the privilege to attend future assemblies. Please follow these assembly rules:

Go directly to a seat. Move toward the center of the rows; do not save seats next to you.
Be courteous to those performing. Refrain from whistling, shouting, and other disruptive behavior.
Remain seated until dismissed by the person in charge.
Please no candy, pop, or food of any kind is allowed in the auditorium.
Please do not put feet (shoes) on the seat in front of you.

GRADING SYSTEM

Grades are given to students at midterm and within two weeks after each term. Fourth term grades are mailed home.

Academic Grades

A = excellent work or outstanding accomplishments
B = good work, above average
C = fair or average work, achieving on par with most of the class.
D = poor work, not as successful as most of the class.
F = failure and loss of credit.

Deficiency notices are sent home near the middle of each term to any student who is receiving a “D” grade or below in any class.

Citizenship Grade

O = Outstanding
S = Satisfactory
N = Needs Improvement
U = Unsatisfactory

LOCKERS

Each student is assigned a school locker for which he/she is responsible. The combination is strictly private information. The Administration has the right to check lockers at any time for safety reasons (health or security) or to find lost library and/or textbooks.

Locker Guidelines

Do not give out your locker combination to anyone.
Do not write on the inside or outside of the lockers.
Profanity, pictures not in good taste or advertisements of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs are not permitted on the inside of lockers.
Lockers that do not function properly or are defaced should be reported to the office immediately.

You are cautioned not to bring valuables to school. Money should not be left in the lockers.
If it becomes necessary to change combinations, a charge of $2.00 will be assessed.

TELEPHONE USAGE - PAY PHONE

The telephone in the office is limited to emergencies only and with the approval of office personnel! There are two pay phones outside for students who wish to make calls.

LOST AND FOUND

Articles found in and around the school should be turned in to the front office.

PLANNERS

The first planner you receive is free of charge. Additional planners will be available at the front office for a $5.00 fee.

SIGN AND POSTER POLICY

All bulletins, posters, promotions, and signs must meet the following criteria. Signs in violation of these rules will be removed and taken to the Front Office.

Must be professional in appearance. Free-hand writing should be of exceptional quality. May not have misspellings, cross-outs, ink spots, torn edges, etc.
Must be related to the school and its programs. Must not advertise commercial or private interests.
Must be removed immediately following an evet.
Must not to exceed 15 signs per event (except pre-approved)
Flyers and/or signs should be no smaller than 8 1/2" x 11".
All advertisements must be hung with clear packaging tape along the edges and/or masking tape on the back. NO DUCK TAPE!
May not be hung on windows, mirrors, or glass cases.
Must have an approval stamp from the Front Office.

GETTING HELP AT SCHOOL IF YOU ARE HAVING TROUBLE WITH A CLASS

The best person to talk to is the teacher. Talk to your teacher at a time when he/she is not busy (after class, after school, before school, or at another mutually convenient time). If parents would like to talk to a teacher, they may call the teacher to make an appointment. Group meetings with teachers can be arranged before or after school if given enough time.

IF YOU WANT TO PAY FEES OR FINES