Student Handbook

Ririe High School welcomes you as a member of its student body. We are proud of the past accomplishments of our students, and we know we will be equally proud of you.

Our philosophy is to recognize and provide for the individual needs, interests, and abilities of all students. We are concerned not only with the accumulation of knowledge, development of skills, and the improvements of understandings, but also with the development of interests, tastes, appreciations, ideals and attitudes, and the functioning of all these in our local community, state, and nation.

This information has been prepared and presented so that it will be of value in helping you to adjust to our school and to become an integral part of it.

Attendance Policy

Right to Attend

All students have a basic right to attend public schools. Idaho Code states that the services of public school are extended to any person, resident of the state, between the ages of five (5) and twenty-one (21). All persons residing within the District in this age group may attend public school in School District # 252.

“Absence from class for any reason including illness or family convenience shall be counted when the percentage of attendance and consequent eligibility for credit is calculated.”

“Except in extra-ordinary cases, as determined by the local board of trustees, credit will not be given to any student in a subject when the students was not in attendance at least 90% of the time that the subject was being taught.” (State Board Policy)

Absences which can be considered under the “extra-ordinary” clause are those which are outside the control of the student and which could not be reasonably foreseen by the student.

Absences

All absences from class shall be recorded. District # 252 records the following types of absences toward the 90% attendance rule:

Prompt and regular attendance is expected of all students. One of the major causes of failure in school is poor attendance.

1. Bring a written excuse signed by your parent or guardian telling WHEN and WHY you were absent to the office upon your return to school.

2. If you do not bring a note from your parent or guardian explaining your absence, and a telephone call (538-7311) may be substituted.

3. You should ask each teacher what the make-up work will be in each subject and be sure to get the work completed as soon as possible.

Students are marked tardy when they are not in the room when the tardy bell rings at the beginning of each period. Tardiness is handled under the school board policy. If a student was unavoidably detained in the previous class or
activity, he should obtain a pass slip to the next class from that teacher.

Nine absences per semester in a class or classes may result in failure to fulfill eligibility for credit. The school activity program is considered co-curricular in nature; therefore, absences which are part of the activity program schedule (school authorized) will not count against the student. School accepted absences are: Note from his/her doctor, legal responsibility to appear in court, short time bereavement absence.

Truancy is absence from school without the knowledge of the parent. To leave school before the end of the school day, you must first obtain a permission slip from the office. Absences (truancies) are checked each day and penalties assigned for each truancy. Repeated truancy is cause for further disciplinary action.

LOSS OF CREDIT:

According to the new Ririe High School policy, if a student has more than 8 unexcused absences for a class, they will lose the credit for that class. The student can petition to reinstate their credit.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Announcements are read over the public address system at the beginning of school each day. If you wish to have announcements made regarding school activities, you must have the announcement in the office before 8:10 a.m.

Fire drills at regular intervals which are required by law are an important safety precaution. It is essential that when the first signal is given, everyone obeys orders promptly and clears the building by the prescribed route as quickly as possible. Never run or push those ahead of you. The teacher in each classroom will give you complete instructions. Causing a false fire alarm is not only a violation of school rules but also a criminal offense. It is mandatory that the school report the individual(s) to the police.

Authority is delegated to the administration to suspend students temporarily if necessary. This period of time varies from one to ten days. Students who are under suspension by administration are not permitted to participate in or attend any school-sponsored activities during the period of suspension.

EXPULSION

2) Continual or intentional disregard for school regulations, or ignoring penalties for same,

CHECKING OUT

When a student wishes to withdraw from school, he/she should bring a written request from his/her parents to the office and receive a Withdrawal Permit. He/she takes the permit to each teacher, turns in books and obtains clearance from each teacher, the library, lunchroom, athletic department, office, and finally the principal’s office for official release.

MY STUFF OR SCHOOL STUFF?

All texts are loaned to students for their use during the school year. Textbooks are to be kept clean and handled carefully. Please be sure your name and grade is written in the books in case they are misplaced. We charge fines based on the teacher’s or librarian’s judgment for abuse, misuse, or lost books.

All students will be issued a locker. It is each student’s responsibility to keep the locker orderly and clean. No stickers shall be placed in or on the locker. Hall and P.E. lockers are property of the school and may be checked.

BUSTED

The use of drugs or any form of beverages containing alcohol by a student expressly forbidden. This policy covers all school functions whether at home or away. Administrator will notify the parents/guardian and law enforcement.

Appropriate consequences will be discussed with the student and parent/guardian.

I MOVED

Any student who has a change of address and/or telephone number must report this change to the office immediately.

WHERE DID IT GO?

Lost and found items may be claimed in the office. Lost articles that are not claimed within a reasonable time will be disposed of during the summer.

SLIDING BY ON A BANANA PEEL

A grade of F indicates failure. The grade given at the end of the semester is a cumulative grade for that semester and is the one that is recorded. Quarter grades are used as mid-term indicators of your progress.

WHAT DID I GET?
(GRADES)
Report cards are printed and handed out at Parent/Teacher conference at the end of the 1st and 3rd quarters. If your parent/guardian does not come to Parent/Teacher Conference, you will have to wait until the following school day to pick up your own report card.

The minimum requirements for graduation as given by the State of Idaho and School District # 252 are as follows:

English                                 8
Math                                    6 (8 needed for college)*
Science                                6 (2 must be lab)(6 needed for college)*
U.S. Government               2
U.S. History                        2
Humanities                         2
World History                    2
Speech                                 1
Consumer Economics        1
Health                                 1

*From the Class of 2013 and beyond, the students will need to take at least one of their math credits during their senior year, and take at least 4 science lab classes.

Must show proficiency on the ISAT test to graduate.
Remediation in language arts and math is required if ISAT scores are not at proficiency level.

Remaining 21 credits come from at least two of the following areas:
(for class 2013 and beyond, only 17 other credits are needed).

In addition to earning 48 credits, each student must attain at least one of the following District requirements:

Requirements for graduation concerning students with disabilities will be determined by federal law.

Students must be enrolled in seven classes, six of which must be for credit, regardless of total credits earned. Any exceptions to this rule must have the prior approval of administration.

Students must petition for credit in any class in which they have exceeded the 9-day limit. The petitions will be available in the office. They will be reviewed by the attendance committee and ruled on individually.

Students becoming ill during the school day must report to the office. If it is a necessity to go home, the office will inform the parent, and the pupil will be released from school with a permission slip.

Be careful when you drive motor vehicles or cycles on school property. No vehicle is to be driven during school time without written permission from the office. Passes will not include any riders with the driver. Students will not ride in private vehicles as well.

Behavior that will not be allowed includes speeding or reckless driving, storage of illegal substances, weapons, or parking in unauthorized locations on school property.

Student parking is reserved in the parking lot west of the high school. Students are reminded that state law stipulates that maximum driving speed on or adjacent to school property is 15 m.p.h. Students are not to park in the faculty parking lot, fire zones, bus or traffic lanes. Students are not to be in their automobiles or in the parking lot during class time without permission.

Phone messages will be delivered to students only at the end of 4th and 7th periods (unless it is an emergency request from the parent/guardian).

A telephone for student use is available in the office before school, during lunch, and after school. It is not available between classes or during class time. This is also one of the lines for the office so all calls are limited to one minute.

The library is considered the focal point of learning in the high school. All students should not only be allowed but urged and required to make use of it. The library should be used for assigned class work and recreational reading. Please observe special library rules. Books may be checked out for three weeks, reference books and magazines overnight. Book fines are 5¢ a day for overdue books and 10¢ a day for overdue reference books and magazines.

ALL BOOKS MUST BE RETURNED 2 WEEKS BEFORE THE END OF SCHOOL.
(SENIORS: 1 WEEK EARLIER!!)

1. Go With the Flow: No student shall obstruct the orderly flow of school activities and/or instruction.

2. NO DIPPIN’, SPITTIN’, CHEWIN’ OR SMOKIN’. All use of tobacco in the school building or on the grounds is prohibited. Violations will result in a suspension. The police will be notified when minor students are in possession of tobacco products.

3. WATCH YOUR MOUTH: No profane or obscene language, writing, pictures, signs, or acts are permitted.

4. No Rambo Gear: Dangerous weapons are not allowed on the school campus. Weapons on campus may result in suspension from school. Any student who brings a gun to school will be expelled from school for one year as mandated by the Gun Free Schools Act.

Weapons Policy

Policy of the Ririe School Board prohibits students from possessing a weapon of any kind on school property or at school sponsored activities. Instruments considered weapons are knives of all types, chains, chuck-sticks, throwing stars, darts, metal knuckles, black jacks, or clubs, explosives, chemicals such as mace, pepper spray, or animal repellent, or any other items intended to inflict injury on another individual or group of individuals.

Possession, use, threat or attempt to use such a weapon will constitute violation of the policy. Students found in violation of this policy will be referred to law enforcement authorities for legal action; students found in violation will be suspended.

Senate Bill 1189 passed by the Idaho legislature in 1995 require that a student or students found to have carried a firearm onto school property shall be expelled from school for a period of not less than one year (twelve calendar months). The local school board is allowed to modify the expulsion order on a case-by-case basis. Discipline of students with disabilities shall be in accordance with the requirement of the federal law part B of the individual with disability education act and section 504 of rehabilitation act. )

Idaho Code, Section 33-205)

Ririe School District # 252 will not admit a student who has been expelled from another district for violating Senate Bill 1189 until that student had completed the expulsion period. The timing should be based on written confirmation from the district that initially expelled the student.

5. Act Your Age: Running and scuffling is not permitted in classrooms, stairs, or corridors.

6. Don’t Forget It: We expect every staff member and student to be treated with respect and dignity. The teacher be in charge of the class. A show of disrespect toward a staff member or insubordination on the part of the student will not, under any circumstances, be tolerated. Staff is responsible for supervision of students anywhere on school property and at school-sponsored activities. It is the policy of the district to provide students with a learning environment free of harassment.

7. Keep It Cool and Civil: Any undue display of affection on the school grounds or hallways will not be permitted. Parents of students involved will be contacted. If the romancing fails to cease students may be suspended from school.

8. Not A Zoo: Practice businesslike conduct at all times – be in your place at the beginning of the class period, stay seated until dismissed by the teacher, and leave the classroom quietly.

9. PAY UP: Payment for damages, cost of repair, or cost of replacement will be expected of students in the misuse of school books, equipment, or property.

10. Sticky Fingers and Muggers: The act of theft, damage to property, assault, possession of weapons, and menacing are violations of the law. Students participating in such types of behavior may be referred to appropriate law enforcement authorities; criminal assaults and felonies will be referred to law enforcement authorities.

11. Make My Day (Fighting): Students involved in conduct of this nature either before, during, after school or during school-sponsored activities is an automatic three-day suspension for the first offense, and future fighting incidents could result in suspensions up to five days and/or an appearance before the school board for review with possible restrictions prior to re-admittance to school.

12. Cheating, Plagiarism or Forgery: The acts of cheating, plagiarism, (This is copying information directly from the internet, encyclopedia, or another student and turning it in as your own work.) or forgery in connection with academic endeavors or school processes or procedures are detrimental to the educational process and are subject to disciplinary action

13. Students are not allowed to use or have CD players, iPods, MP3’s, electronic games, pagers, or cellular phones during school hours. The staff will confiscate such devices.

The Board of Trustees of Ririe Joint School District No. 252 recognizes the individual right of students to choose their style of dress. The Board takes pride in the fact that the majority of this district’s students have elected to wear appropriate clothing styles and observe grooming habits which represent the pride students have in their school. Since it is the duty of the Board to provide a safe environment and educational atmosphere conducive to learning, clothing should always be clean, mended, and suitable to body size and in good taste. Clothing or grooming habits that are disruptive, have detrimental effects on the educational process, or depict illegal or immoral acts are prohibited. Clothing and grooming habits must take into account the sensibilities of others. In order to create a workable and enforceable standard for student dress the following guidelines will be followed:

· Clothes should be clean, in good condition, in good taste, and appropriate for school.

· Students in violation of the dress code may be sent home to change and may be given an sluff for any classes missed during this time.

2. No hats or head apparel shall be worn in the school building with the exception of head coverings for medical or religious observance.

3. All shirts and blouses must completely cover the chest and midsection of the body (front and back). No clothing or accessories will be allowed that are printed with profane language, inappropriate activities, or advertisements of alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, and/or illegal drugs.

4. Insignias are unacceptable in any form if they contain words, symbols, messages, styles of gang symbols, logos, emblems which degrade gender, religion, culture, ethnic value or if they are obscene signs and/or slogans.

6. Clothing which exposes the stomach, back, chest, or upper legs is prohibited.

7. Mesh shirts will be allowed only if a solid shirt is worn underneath the mesh.

9. Skirts, shorts, skirt slits, and dresses will be no shorter than just above the knee. Underwear must not be visible.

10. Jeans will be traditional style. No low-rise, no severely baggy, or gang oriented. Underwear must not be visible.

11. Boys shirts must be buttoned, no tank tops, no sleeveless shirts. Underwear must not be visible.

12. No spikes or other potentially dangerous “hardwear” may be worn or carried.

All face paint, masks, and other accessories meant to draw attention to oneself is also prohibited.

All school policies, rules and regulations at Ririe High School will be followed by all students, INCLUDING THOSE WHO ARE 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER!

Ririe High School and Ririe Joint School District # 252 places a high priority on student activities. We feel they provide and opportunity for enjoyment through involvement while building sportsmanship, leadership, character, integrity, and a positive attitude. The desire to win should not overshadow provisions to meet the needs of the students.

With all the mandates for increased student learning and testing requirements for graduation, the need for students to become more involved in the education process has become top priority across the country. The Ririe School District supports these requirements as well as supporting quality extra-curricular programs, which go hand-in-hand with a quality educational system. The following guidelines will be used to determine eligibility for participation in extra-curricular activities:

· All students who participate in extra-curricular activities must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA with no failing grades during any grading period to be eligible to participate.

· Five weeks (approx. 25 days) into each quarter, east participant in such activities will show this minimum GPA to remain eligible. If a participant fails to show the minimum, he/she will have 2 weeks (10 school days) to improve to the minimum. If at that time the GPA has not improved to 2.0 with no failing grades, the student will be ruled ineligible until the end of the quarter grading period, approximately 9 weeks into the semester. At that time the participant must show a 2.0 with no failing grades or be ruled ineligible until the next grading period, approximately 5 weeks into the quarter.

· All clubs and organizations may establish guidelines concerning grades but such guidelines cannot reduce the minimum requirements of 2.0 GPA with no failing grades.

· Federal law will determine consideration for eligibility of students with disabilities.

1. All parties concerned – school personnel, parents, students and patrons – should realize that academic endeavors have priority over athletics and activities.

2. Activities shall provide an opportunity for a maximum number of students to engage in activities, which will provide for personal improvement, contribution to the school, self-realization of potential, and education of the total human being.

3. Participation in the Ririe High School activity program is a privilege – not a right. We expect all students to represent our school and community in the best possible manner. All students shall act in accordance with the rules set forth by the Ririe Joint School District # 252 and each individual coach/advisor.

Eligibility standards exceed those set by the Idaho High School Activities Association. To be eligible to participate in a RHS Activity, a student must have received a passing grade in all classes during the last semester in which he/she was an athlete. If a student is assigned an “incomplete” in a subject, he/she has not received a passing grade in the subject. The record at the end of the semester is final and scholastic deficiencies may not be “made up” in any way.

All Ririe High School students participating in RHS sponsored activities are required to pay their registration fees that include an activity card. Students must present their activity card to attend extra-curricular events.

We expect all students to represent our school and community in the best possible manner. All students shall dress in accordance with the rules set forth by each individual coach/sponsor. It must be kept in mind that each participant is acting as an ambassador of Ririe High School and our community. No student will be allowed to participate in activities who changes his/her appearance in such a way that the change calls attention to him/her and distracts from the group. Also, no student will be allowed to participate who dresses or changes his/her appearance in such a way that causes embarrassment to the coach/sponsor of the group, to the school, to the parent and/or the community. (It may be impossible to set one code that will fit all needs.) The activity director will set codes of dress that will apply to home performances as well as out of town trips.

We expect all students to ride on the bus to and from the activity with the activity group. A medical appointment or extreme emergency will be the only reason a student would travel to an activity site with his/her parent. We expect all activity students to ride home on the bus. THE REQUEST BY THE STUDENT TO NOT RIDE THE ACTIVITY BUS HOME SHALL BE MADE BEFORE LEAVING ON THE TRIP AND SIGNED BY THE ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR. The student will be released only to his/her parents to ride home with them. We do not expect the coaches to make split-second decisions on transportation problems unless there is an emergency situation.

If a student is found in possession of any item deemed illegal, law enforcement will be notified and the student will put in their custody.

Note: The Board policy regarding chemical use (see Busted), supersedes the training rules and is in effect at all RHS activities or those in which a RHS team/group is participating. Regardless of the quantity, a student shall not use or have in possession a beverage containing alcohol; use tobacco; or use or consume, have in possession, buy, sell, or give away any substances defined by law as a drug.

It is not a violation for a student to be in possession of a legally defined drug specifically prescribed for the student’s own use by his/her doctor.

All students involved in activities are expected to follow the drug and alcohol rules twenty-four (24) hours a day, every day, during the entire season of practices and contests. Any student who is involved in an activities program shall refrain from entering establishment/residence whose primary business/purpose is the sale and/or service of alcoholic beverages or controlled chemicals. The penalties for violations of training rules shall apply.

The District philosophy states that the coach/sponsor of an activity is the initial person responsible for imposing activity rules violations set forth by Ririe School District # 252. All violations are to be reported to the Activities Director immediately by the coach/sponsor of the activity.

The coach/sponsor has the authority to apply additional rules and penalty for violations up to and including removal from the team for the duration of the season in addition to the school district rules. If a coach/sponsor has additional penalties, said penalties will be defined in writing and distributed to the students and parents prior to the start of the season. The additional penalties will be applied consistently to all students in the program.

We would expect activity students and their parents to place a primary emphasis on abiding by activity rules and role modeling throughout the entire year and their high school careers.