LYNDEN HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENT HANDBOOK
2015 - 2016
Spirit,
Pride,
Tradition of Achievement
LHS STUDENT HANDBOOK
Welcome to Lynden High School! Our school’s motto of Spirit, Pride, Tradition of Achievement is one in which we believe and attempt to achieve in every academic and extra-curricular activity sponsored by our school. We recommend you give this year, and every year you attend Lynden High School, the total commitment needed to fulfill personal success. The more personal commitment you put into something, the more you will gain and the more our school and student body will embrace the concepts of Spirit, Pride, and Tradition of Achievement.
Ian Freeman Lisa McKeen Mike McKee
Principal Assistant Principal Athletic Director
Mission
Our Mission is to challenge all students to strive for excellence. Our emphasis is on learning as a life-long process and on mastery of the Washington State Standards. We use diverse learning experiences to provide an environment that is positive, supportive, and stimulating, to encourage students to value self and others. We want each student to graduation college/career ready.
LHS Offices:
Main Office: The main office is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 PM to 3:30 PM. To contact the main office by phone, dial 360-354-4401.
Visitors: We encourage parents to visit our school. Parents are advised to make an appointment in advance so that they will be assured of seeing the individual they wish to visit. All visitors must check-in through the main office and display a “Visitor’s Pass” to throughout their visit. Visits to classrooms during the school day must have prior approval from an administrator and the teacher with a minimum of 24 hours advance notice.
Administration: The Principal and Assistant Principal are available to meet with students, families, and community. Whenever possible, appointments are recommended.
ASB, Athletics, and Activities Office: ASB, Athletic, and other payments (tickets, etc.) occur here. We can only accept cash or checks. Students may only visit this area to make payments during non-instructional time (before or after school, passing periods, etc.)
Attendance Office: Visit the window across from the counseling center to set up a pre-arranged absence, excuse an absence, or check in and out for late arrival or early dismissal. Please review the Attendance Policy, outlined later in the handbook, as excused absences are limited at high school level and may impact credit. Information that needs to be delivered to students once they are at school can be relayed at this office.
Nurse’s Office: The nurse’s office is located within the main office. Students that must take medication during the school day must check in with the nurse.
Counseling Center: The Registrar, Counselors, HS and Beyond Center, and CTE Office are located here. Services available include: student records, transcripts, and general information regarding grades, scheduling, courses of study, and scholarship or job information. Students and/or parents may make appointments to see a counselor.
High School and Beyond Center (Career and Technical Education Office): This office is located at the back within the counseling center. Here you will find help with career and post-secondary educational options, volunteer and community service opportunities, working with Career Cruising and developing the electronic portfolio, employment, scholarships, and/or help with any of the vocational classes which make up about 35% of LHS course offerings.
Athletics, Activities, and Associated Student Body (ASB): Lynden High School has a long tradition of fun, positive, and successful extra-curricular programs. These include sports, clubs, music, drama, and student government. Students who participate in extra-curricular activities consistently state their enjoyment of these activities and believe participation has improved their overall experience and performance at school. Below are a variety of ways you can get involved in extra-curricular activities at Lynden High School.
The Lion Safari, ASB Student Store: The Lion Safari student store is located across from the counseling center; providing spirit items, school supplies, snacks, and personal items. It is operated by students and is open during the school day. Profits from sales support the Associated Student Body’s activities.
Athletics: Lynden High School offers a wide variety of sports. We compete in the NW Conference in the 2A classification. Updated schedules and results can be found online at http://www.nwcathletics.com. There are sports that are “cut” and “non-cut” for both boys and girls. The following are coaches for each sport.
Fall Sports:
Football - Curt Kramme Volleyball – Julie Clift
Cross Country – Lane Hutchins Boys’ Tennis – Trey Ballard
Girls’ Soccer – Katie Yoder Girls’ Swim – Steve Gibb
Winter Sports:
Boys’ Basketball – Brian Roper Girls’ Basketball – Rob Adams
Boys’ Wrestling – TBD Girls’ Wrestling – Santos Gallegos
Boys’ Swim – Steve Gibb
Spring Sports:
Baseball – Cory White Fastpitch – Steve Peterson
Boys’ Soccer – Drew Smiley Boys’ Golf – Russ Dorr
Girls’ Golf – Scott Sahagian Girls’ Tennis – Trey Ballard
Track – Layne Hutchins
Activities: Some activities require enrollment in a class during the school day. Contact the advisor for more information.
Student Government Mike McKee Leadership/Mentors Blake VanDalen
Graduation Advisor Blake Van Dalen Senior Class Advisor Mike Regis
Junior Class Advisor Jill Conner Sophomore Class Advisor Scott Sahagian
Freshmen Class Advisor Blake VanDalen Senior Coordinator Christy Maberry
Band Steve Herrick Choir Directors Steve Herrick
Yearbook Kevin Soltman Ginger White
Cheerleaders Kellee Wallace CTE Director Kent Victor
Organizations/Clubs: Clubs are a great way to get involved in the school. The following staff advisors can provide information about time and location of meetings.
Anime Club Kevin Richins Art Club Scott Sahagian
Chess and Cribbage Club Newt Klusmire Community Transitions Jill Conner
Drama Tina Miller FBLA JoAnn Roorda
IMPACT Karen Pehl FFA John Grubbs Tiffany Sahagian Ladd Shumway
Future Ski Bums of America Shane Winje First Generation Stacey Anderson
GSA Bob Carson Mariah Butenschoen
Ham Radio Club Don McQuarrie Honor Society Jordan VanderVeen International Club Shane Winje K Pop Mike Elsner Knowledge Bowl Jordan VanderVeen L Club Ed Bomber Lions Read Aimee Minckler Blake VanDalen Multimedia Henry Dotson Smart Team Mari Herbert SOCK Club Deb Harris Sports Medicine Duane Korthuis Student Government Mike McKee Student Store Jody Bogues
Winter Ride Mitch Kornelis
Student conduct expectations and reasonable sanctions are fully explained in the section “Board Policies/Procedure - 3000 (students),” which is available online on the Lynden School District website, and in print upon request. This handbook addresses the most common situations and rules specifically applicable to Lynden High School.
Academic Honesty: Students must do their own work. Students will not copy from the work of others, put their names on other people’s work, cut and paste inappropriately from the internet or from another electronic source, provide their work to other students who copy it, access other people’s work inappropriately, nor access any teacher supplies or materials inappropriately. Students will follow test-taking procedures as described by the teacher or proctor. For instruction on how to do appropriate citation, see the “MLA Citation” link under the “Library” tab of the school website.
Both the student who submits work that is not theirs, and the student that knowingly allows their work to be used for cheating or plagiarism, will be subject to school discipline including, but not limited to, possible loss of credit for the assignment, loss of credit for the course, removal from the course, or possible suspension. All instances will be documented in the student’s discipline record.
Assemblies: Assemblies are a part of the school day intended to promote pride and school spirit, as well as provide variation in educational and enrichment experiences. Attendance is required. Students that are found to have skipped an assembly or are disrespectful during the assembly are subject to school discipline.
Attendance: Attendance is critical to your success at school and future success in the workplace. Teacher plan classes to provide important learning experiences each day; therefore, regular attendance is imperative. Many times it is impossible to make up classroom experiences that are missed. To avoid the possibility of losing credit, students must be in class whenever physically possible and families must excuse absences in a timely manner whenever appropriate.
To excuse an absence: The parent may notify the office the morning of the absence, send a signed note of explanation within 2 school days of the students return, or complete a pre-arranged absence form whenever an absence is known in advance. Students may turn in notes to the attendance office before school, after school, during passing periods or their lunch. Notes will not be accepted from students during class time.
Excused Absences: The following are valid excuses for absences and tardiness. Assignments and/or activities not completed because of an excused absence or tardiness may be made up in the manner provided by the teacher.
1. Participation in school-approved activity (in-school events, field trips, etc.). This must have prior approval by the organizing staff member and the teachers for the classes to be missed.
2. Illness, health condition, family emergency or religious purposes. Must be excused following the procedure below.
3. Pre-arranged absences. The students and family must complete a pre-arranged absence form and collect signatures for approval from the student’s teachers. This completed form must then be submitted to the principal or designee at least 3 days ahead of the absence in order to determine effect on the student’s learning. If there is cause to not approve the absence, the principal or designee will contact the student and/or family.
4. Absence resulting from disciplinary actions. Students who are removed from class(es) as a disciplinary measure, including short-term suspension, shall have the right to make up assignments or exams missed during the time they were denied entry to the classroom.
5. Court required appearance. Verification required.
6. Extended illness or health condition. If a student is confined to home or hospital for an extended period, the school shall provide assignments at the place of confinement whenever practical. However, if the student is unable to do schoolwork, or if there are major requirements of a particular course which cannot be accomplished outside of class, the student may be required to take an incomplete or withdraw from the class without penalty. The student and parent must notify the principal or counselor as soon as possible to develop a plan that considers the student’s educational needs and the recommendations of the health provider.
Unexcused Absences: The following constitute “Unexcused Absences.” Unexcused absences result in school discipline. Furthermore, pursuant to RCW 28A.225.010 (also known as the BECCA Law) if a student has 5 unexcused absences in one month or 10 unexcused absences in a school year, the school will file a petition with the juvenile court alleging violation of this state law. This will result in the student having to appear in court with his/her parent/guardian to explain the reasons for truancies and possible legal consequences.
1. Submitting a signed excuse which does not constitute an excused absence as defined previously; or
2. Failing to submit any type of excuse statement signed by the parent, guardian or adult student. This type of absence is also defined as “truancy” and is subject to corrective action including school discipline.
3. Submitting false evidence (forged noted, etc.). This will result in the same corrective action that would have occurred had the false excuse not been used. In addition, said student shall be subject to any other corrective action or discipline as set forth by school rules or Lynden School District policies.
4. Missing 10 or more minutes of a class without a valid reason. Arriving late, leaving early, and/or taking unapproved leave during a class totaling 10 more minutes is considered unexcused absence. This type of absence is subject to corrective action including school discipline.
Consequence:
1. First offense – Detention.
2. Repeat offenses will result in progressive discipline including possible In-school suspension, attendance contract, and parent conference.
Attendance Appeal: Any student with more than 10 absences in a semester, excused or unexcused, must complete an attendance appeal unless the absences were pre-approved or due to a documented health condition.
Bus Transportation and Conduct: The school nor district are responsible for supervision before a student boards the bus in the morning or after they leave the bus at the end of the school day. While using district transportation, students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with established standards for classroom behavior. Misconduct on the bus will be brought to the attention of principal or designee, and is subject to school discipline including possible revocation of riding privileges. If transportation must be revoked due to severe misconduct, the school will no longer be responsible for the student’s transportation to or from school during that time.
Cell Phones and Other Personal Electronic Devices: Cell phones and other personal electronic devices (PED’s) have become a ubiquitous item in today’s society. While they can be very useful for a variety of purposes, when used at the wrong time they can become detriment to a focused learning environment and simply disrespectful. Additionally, cell phones and PED’s are “small and attractive” items from a theft perspective and students should be careful about keeping them secure. Lost or stolen devices are not the responsibility of the school. Parents/guardians are asked to relay any messages during school time to the attendance office for delivery to the students. Students that bring a cell phone or other electronic device to school must observe the following expectations:
1. Devices may only be used during non-class time such as passing time or lunch. Assemblies are considered a form of instruction and therefore devices may not be used. Teachers may approve use during class as an academic activity to support learning;
2. Devices may not be used in a manner that poses a threat to academic integrity, disrupts the learning environment or violates the privacy rights of others;
3. Students will not send, share, view or possess pictures, text messages, emails or other material depicting sexually explicit conduct, as defined in RCW 9.68A.011, while on school grounds, at school sponsored events or on school buses or vehicles provided by the district;
4. When a school official has reasonable suspicion, based on objective and articulable facts, that a student is using an electronic device in a manner that violates the law or school rules, the official may confiscate the device, which will only be returned to the student’s parent or legal guardian;