Principal's Message

Dear Parents,

Our goal is to create a rigorous academic environment where all children can learn. Your son or daughter is here to get an education in an environment that is safe and free from distractions.

I understand that registration is a tedious process and that you have many forms to read, sign and return. This packet is of particular importance. Please take time to sit down with your student and read these policy pages.

Why do we have a Policy Packet?

In surveys across the nation, parents cite safety and communication as major concerns with schools. My goal is to directly and effectively communicate, through these Policy Pages, some of the basic issues that affect the day-to-day operation of the school, and the school's position on certain issues.

Policies take the bias out of decision making and create a system that is fair and equitable for everyone. These policies provide a consistent application of school rules for all students. Hundreds of school situations and conversations with parents and students have shaped the development of these policies. These are issues that occur many times throughout a typical school year. My goal is to make every student and parent aware of the policies of Kennedy High School. In my years of experience in education, I have found that adherence to this policies increase student achievement and success in school.

Your support of these policies is appreciated.

Thank you in advance for making Kennedy High School the great place that it is. I am looking forward to a great year with you and your student.

Sincerely,

Mr. Kelly Wilson
Principal

1. Final Exam Policy

   Students must take final exams during the final exam schedule.

   The final exam schedule for the 2009-2010 school year is as follows:

   First Semester:
   Grades 9-12: Wednesday, January 27 and Thursday, January 28
   
   Second Semester:
   Grade 12:
   Wednesday, June 9, Thursday, June 10, and Friday, June 11
   Graduation is Wednesday, June 16 at 1:00 pm at Handel Stadium (Western HS) - tickets are required
   
   Grades 9 - 11:
   Tuesday June 15 and Wednesday June 16

   The last day of school is June 16. Please schedule your personal events and trips around these dates.

   
   
2. Academic Honesty and Cheating Policy

   Cheating is prohibited. Cheating in the form of copying, plagiarism, academic dishonesty, or deception that unfairly, improperly or illegally enhances the grade on an individual or group assignment, or a final course grade will result in serious consequences. If students have any doubt as to whether a particular act constitutes cheating, he/she should ask the teacher before proceeding.

   Students that violate the Academic Integrity and Cheating Policy will be subject to academic and disciplinary consequences as stated in the Academic Honesty Policy located on the AUHSD website.

   
   
3. Attendance and Tardy Policy
   

   Absences
   Section 48205 of the Californian Education Code lists seven valid reasons for students to miss school. Make up work is allowed only if their absence is based on one of these valid reasons:

   1. Illness
   2. .Quarantine by health officer
   3. Medical, dental or optometric appointments
   4. Funeral services of an immediate family member (one day if the service is conducted in California and not more than three days if the service is conducted outside California).
   5. Religious holiday
   6. School field trip or activity
   7. Personal (up to three days per school year with prior administrator approval)

   State Education code defines a habitual truant as any student who misses more than three days (unexcused/unverified). Students who are habitual truants will be referred to the School Attendance Review Board for consideration by the District Attorney.

   Illnesses up to three days may be verified by the parent. Illnesses of longer duration or that are chronic and cause the student to miss school frequently will require a doctor's note. Eighteen year old students are required to present a note from the parent/guardian for all absences.

   Procedure following an absence:
   • Student must bring in a note from the parent/guardian or doctor within 24 hours to the attendance office*
   
   Procedure for leaving school early:
   • Student brings a signed note from parent to attendance office before school
   • Parent calls attendance office notifying school of early out request
   • Student shows early out slip to appropriate teacher
   • Student signs out in the attendance office before leaving campus

   *A "U" (unexcused) will be placed on the student's attendance record for medical visits until a doctor/dental note is presented.

   Class Cuts:
   First offense: Detention
   Second Offense: Detention
   Third Offense: Referral to Assistant principal

   An unverified absence is the same as an unexcused absence. The teachers' individual policies regarding make up work after excused absences will be found in their class curriculum letter/syllabus. Missed assignments and exams due to unexcused absences cannot be made up.

   Tardiness

   No excuses will be accepted for first period tardies, except for doctor/dental note. Parents may not excuse students who arrive late for any reason.

   If a doctor/dental note is not presented during first period, students will be assigned a detention and sent to class.

   Students who arrive late to school must:
   • Sign in at the attendance office upon arrival before going to class and use their detention slip as their pass to class
   • First period absences require a prior phone call or note from their parent/guardian at the time the student arrives at school. Notes and phone calls will not be accepted after the student arrives at school.

   Assignments, quizzes, and exams missed because of unexcused tardies may not be made up.

   
   
4. Class Change Policy

   Kennedy students are placed in courses based on student requests, standardized test scores, and teacher recommendations.

   Schedule changes will only be made for the following reasons:
   • To balance classes so that overcrowding does not occur
   • To correct a scheduling error

   All schedule changes will be determined and approved by the counseling staff.

   Schedule changes will NOT be made for the following reasons:
   • Student does not like the teacher or the instructional style
   • Teacher is "too hard" or "too easy"
   • Student is failing the class
   • Course content is perceived by the student to be too difficult
   • Personality conflicts
   
   
   
5. Cell Phone and Electronic Device Policy

   Cell phones and electronic devices must not be visible or used anywhere on campus for any reason between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 2:37 p.m. All cell phones and electronic devices must be turned off and kept in backpacks.

   Consequences for cell phone/electronic device use will be:
   • Item will be confiscated from the student
   • Student will be sent to On Campus Suspension until 3:45 p.m.
   • A referral in their permanent record
   • The item will be returned ONLY to the parent/guardian of the student after 2:37 p.m. Third and subsequent violations will result in 3 days On Campus suspension
   • Continued defiance of this policy may result in transfer or expulsion

   Kennedy High School and the AUHSD are not responsible for lost, stolen or broken cell phones or electronic devices. Kennedy High School and the AUHSD are not responsible and will NOT pay for phones/electronic devices that are lost or stolen after confiscation.

   If you need to contact your student or leave a message for your student during school hours, you may call the attendance office. Students who are ill must call home through the health office, not on their cell phones.

   
   
6. Dress Code Policy

   While on campus, students shall be dressed and groomed in a manner which reflects good taste and decency, and will not detract from or interfere with the educational process, environment, instructional program, general morale or image of the school.

   The following are NOT acceptable on campus:
   • Mid-drift tops which expose any portion of the mid-section, tube tops, spaghetti and string straps, and shorts or skirts that expose the buttocks
   • Low cut apparel that have a plunging neckline and/or reveal an excessive area of the chest and/or back
   • Under garments, underwear and ANY other clothing worn under pants, dresses, skirts, or shorts must be concealed at ALL TIMES
   • Slippers and/or pajamas
   • Boys shirts must have sleeves
   • Cut/torn clothing or garments with holes, even if purchased that way
   • Belt buckles with initials
   • Hats, caps, bandanas, hairnets, scarves, headbands, or any other head covering, including sweat shirt hoods (Girls may wear scarves as headbands)
   • Wallet chains, spiked bracelets, collars, excessive metal on belts
   • Gloves must be worn with a jacket and only in cold weather
   • Socks pulled up high with shorts worn below the knee
   • Sunglasses in the classroom
   • Oversized/baggy clothing (pants must fit at the waist/shirt tails must not extend below the hands)
   • Gang look is not appropriate. Examples: Nike Cortez shoes, Dickies shorts/pants, oversized white t-shirts, nylon jacket, gloves without a jacket (This look is at the discretion of school administration)
   • Skirts/dresses/shorts that are shorter than mid-thigh
   • Dress, grooming or accessories that are unsafe, dangerous, distracting, or a health hazard including those which:
     • Display offensive or obscene symbols, signs, slogans or words, degrading any cultural, religious or ethnic values
     • Display language or symbols oriented toward sex, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, violence or weapons
     • Display gang, tagger crew and /or clique symbols, colors, slogans or signs (Because some gangs have adopted Raiders and Cowboys football jerseys and shirts as their attire, Raiders and Cowboy apparel of any kind are not allowed)

   Because fashions, trends, styles and fads change rapidly, the principal reserves the right to adjust the dress code as needed.

   The consequence for violating the dress code will be:
   • Immediate placement in On Campus Suspension for first and second offenses
   • 3 days On Campus Suspension for the third and subsequent offenses.
   • Additionally, students will be required to change clothing or have the parent bring appropriate clothing to school
   
   
   
7. Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco

   Drugs, alcohol and tobacco and drug paraphernalia are not allowed on campus at any time. Do not bring them to school!

   Any student under the influence or in possession of drugs, alcohol or tobacco, or drug paraphernalia either at school, at any school event, or on the way to or from school, regardless of how they were acquired will receive disciplinary consequences. Possessing, providing, sharing, or selling drugs, in any amount will result in the following consequences:

   • Five day suspension
   • Transfer to another school or expulsion from AUHSD
   • Citation or arrest
   • Mandatory drug counseling

   Prescription medication with a doctor's order must be secured in the health office and dispensed by the health clerk under a physician's order.

   
   
8. Weapons, Dangerous Objects, and Fighting
   
   
   • Any student in possession of a weapon or a look-a-like weapon will be suspended and arrested
   • Any involvement in a fight, regardless of who initiated the incident, will result in a suspension and possible citation by La Palma Police for disorderly conduct
   • A second fight will result in further disciplinary action with possible school transfer and/or expulsion, and citation by La Palma Police
   
   
   
9. Student Parking
   
   
   • Permits cost $10. A $10 fee will be charged to replace a lost parking permit.
   • Permits are a privilege and can be revoked for various reasons, such as, speeding, reckless driving, excessive discipline, continued defiance, a GPA below a 2.00, and being on probationary status
   • Cars parked on campus are subject to being searched when there are reasonable grounds
   
   
   
10. Valuables, Bikes, and Skateboards
    
    
    • Don’t bring anything valuable to school
    • KHS and AUHSD is not responsible for any stolen or misplaced items
    • Bikes must be properly locked in the appropriate place
    • Skateboards are not allowed on campus.
    
    
    
11. Student Activities and Event Policies

    Participation in activities and events is a privilege. The following will exclude a student from participating in a KHS event or activity:

    • A GPA below 2.0 on the last reporting period.
    • Seven or more tardies
    • Five or more unexcused absences
    • Seven total days of on campus and/or regular suspension
    • Being on probationary status
    
    
    
12. Littering Policy

    Littering is prohibited anywhere on campus. Students caught littering will receive a consequence.

    
    
13. Tagging/Graffiti

    All forms of tagging/graffiti are prohibited. Possession of tagging/graffiti implements will result in the following consequences:

    • Suspension
    • Arrest
    • Restitution
    • Parents referred to district approved parenting class
    • Transfer or expulsion
    
    
    
14. Identification Card Policy
    

    Students must carry their current school year identification card at all times. Students without their identification card will receive a detention.

    Replacement ID cards may be purchased at the activities office.

    
    
15. Progressive Discipline Policy

    Kennedy High School follows progressive steps in assigning disciplinary consequences for rule violations. Students are expected to follow all rules and policies outlined in the California State Education Code, the AUHSD Parent and Student Handbook and the Kennedy High School Policy Pages. These policy pages are the first step in the progressive discipline policy. These pages constitute a warning.

    Major infractions may result in immediate removal from KHS on the first offense.

    Any violation of this policy will result in a referral.

    Most common referral reasons (this is not an inclusive list):

    Defiance of Authority Disruption Truancy Profanity/Vulgarity Dress Code Cell Phone/Electronic Devices Graffiti/Vandalism Fighting

    Cheating Harassment No Show to Detention Three tardies to any one class Drugs Weapons Out of Bounds Stealing

    If a student accumulates seven days of On Campus and/or Off Campus Suspension during the school year, he/she will be placed on probationary status. Once on probationary status, the student will be subject to one or more of the following:

    • Loss of parking privilege
    • Exclusion from attending dances and school activities
    • Exclusion from graduation ceremony
    • Removal or suspension from extra-curricular activities
    • Pay restitution
    • Community service to the school

    In order to be removed from probationary status, the parent, student and administrator will meet to determine a program of positive actions to be completed so that the student may resume regular status.  Probationary status carries over from year to year. Referrals may be worked off during the summer with administration approval.

    In order to regain regular standing you must complete one of the following for each referral (time of service to be determined and verified by administration):

    • Increase quarter grades by one full GPA point
    • No referrals for a quarter
    • No discipline for a month
    • Working with a teacher on a project
    • Attend tutoring
    • Assisting athletic facilities/custodial staff
    • Attend counseling through social work intern
    • Attend social group counseling
    • Student finds and works with a staff mentor
    • Perfect attendance for a month
    • Assisting a coach or athletic trainer
    • Write a behavior reflection paper
    • Volunteer time with ASB
    
    Detentions
    • Students are responsible for notifying parents
    • Students must bring school work and a reading book
    • Late students will not be admitted
    • Students will not be admitted without a current photo ID card
    • Detention Hall begins Monday and Friday Mornings at 6:54 a.m. and Tuesday thru Thursday afternoon at 2:45 p.m.
    • Students serve detentions by the end of the week assigned.
    
    On Campus Suspension
    • A homework request sheet must be filled out by the student
    • Students must bring school work and a reading book
    • Students must work on their own assignments or an academic packet provided by the On Campus Suspension Teacher if assigned.
    • Students must report directly to the OCS room by 7:54 a.m. and will be released at 3:45 p.m.
    • Students who are disruptive or who refuse to do their assignments will be sent home on suspension
    
    Suspension
    • Student and parents are notified, and a parent conference may be scheduled
    • Student is responsible for missed assignments
    • Students may not participate in any school activity or event during the suspension period
    • Parents may request homework
    
    Discipline Interventions
    1. Phone call home
    2. Teacher’s classroom rules as written in their curriculum letter
    3. Parent conference
    4. Group counseling
    5. Detention
    6. On Campus Suspension
    7. Home suspension
    8. Placement on probation list
    9. .Referral to school resource officer
    10. Other