High School

High School and Middle School Handbook, 2007-2008

STUDENT ATTENDANCE

GENERAL ATTENDANCE POLICY

Landmark students are expected to attend classes for the full school day. A missed classroom experience cannot be recaptured although the missed assignments may be completed. Penalties occur for unexcused absences.
Regular attendance is required to participate in school activities such as field trips, athletic events, music programs, prom, etc.
If a student checks in late, he/she must arrive by 11:30 in order to participate in any extracurricular/interscholastic events that day. Lateness unless excused, will warrant warnings, lunch-time detentions, and after-school dententions.

In cases of excused absences or excused tardies, it is the responsibility of the student to get the assignments. If a student misses class on the day of a test or quiz, they should be prepared to take that test or quiz the next time that class meets. If a student misses the review or the teaching of concepts to be quizzed over or tested over, the student will be expected to take the quiz/test the second time the class meets upon their return. Students are expected to take the initiative to consult with their teacher upon their first class back.
If a student misses class on the day homework is due, that assignment is due the day they return.
Homework is due during the class period. Late work is not an acceptable practice at Landmark. However, when work is 1 day late, the grade will be deducted by 20%. Work that is 2 days late will be deducted 40%. Homework will not be accepted after 2 days. Please note: for term papers and major assignments, a day is not considered to be a block interval of days.

Absenteeism, in even one class, removes a student’s opportunity to receive any recognition for perfect attendance.
A student is considered absent from a class if he/she misses 20 minutes of a regular class or 45 minutes of a block class.
In the high school, students may lose credit in any course where 6 absences occur in a semester. When a student is absent 4 times in a specific class, the parent will be contacted by the Guidance Office regarding the student’s possible credit loss.
In the middle school, students may lose credit in any course where 9 absences occur in a semester. When a student is absent 6 times in a specific class, the parent will be contacted by the Guidance Office regarding the student’s possible credit loss.

There are several categories of absence to be considered:

EXCUSED ABSENCES

Excused absences include: sickness, doctor or dental appointment, death in family, court summons, two authorized college days, planned absences and extenuating circumstances approved by the administration
To have an absence excused, students must take a note to the Middle/High School Office and exchange it for a blue slip that allows entry to classes. The note written by a parent must include: student’s first and last name, date of absence, reason for absence and parent’s signature. Failure to bring a note will result in warnings, lunch-time detentions and after-school detentions.
Make-Up Work: It is the responsibility of the student to obtain the assignments missed. A student will be allowed one class day to turn make-up work for each class day absent. The student must meet with the teacher to schedule a time for test make-up.
If a student is absent for an extended time (2 days or more), the parent may obtain assignments through the Middle/High School Office or check the web for assignment postings. (Parents must call before 10 a.m. and pick up work by 4 p.m.)

UNEXCUSED ABSENCES are any absences other than those listed above.

Penalty: An unexcused absence will result in the application of the discipline policy.
Unexcused Permits to Class: Even if an absence is unexcused, a note must be written by the parent including the following information: student’s first and last name, date of absence, reason for absence and parent’s signature. This note must be taken to the Middle/High School Office and exchanged for a red slip that allows entrance to classes. Make-Up of Assignments in Cases of an Unexcused Absence: Tests, quizzes and assignments missed as a result of an unexcused absence may be made up, but the points earned on the make-up work will be reduced by 20%. Make-up work is given one class day for each class day missed, but the student is responsible for arranging make-up test time with the teacher.

COLLEGE VISITS are allowed for both juniors and seniors.

Two College Days during the junior and senior year are issued for students visiting a college campus for serious inquiry.
College Days are considered school-sponsored activities and therefore are treated as excused absences.
The Academic Dean may make some exceptions for students interviewing for scholarships or testing.
Permission to return to class after a college visit requires that the student submit a letter or College Visit Form attachment from the registrar or admissions personnel reflecting the date and appointment time for the college visit. This will be exchanged for a blue slip in order to enter class.
Make-up Assignment rules are the same as those for excused absences.

Addendum added October 2007

Students who participate in athletics should check with their coach before planning a college visit as athletic programs may have different excused absence policies.

EARLY DISMISSALS are highly discouraged.

Acceptable reasons for checking out early are for such instances as: doctor and dental appointments, funerals, and court summons.
Students checking out early for reasons other than those listed above are considered unexcused. Tests, quizzes and assignments missed as a result of an unexcused check out may be made up, but the points earned on the make-up work will be reduced by 20%.
Students whose reason for checking out is unexcused may fall under the discipline procedures.
Parents are requested to arrange appointments early in the morning or late in the afternoon to allow the student the benefit of attending the majority of his/her schedule.
Phone calls are unacceptable for early dismissals except in cases of emergency.
Appointments may not be made on final exam days. These are listed on the school calendar.
Procedures for checking outinclude a written request from the parent, presented to the Middle/High School Office, prior to 8:00 a.m. of the day of the intended appointment.
Students approved for early dismissal are responsible to turn in assignments due that day. If a test is to be missed, arrangements must be made with the teacher before the student checks out.
Students approved for early dismissal must sign out in the middle/high School Office before leaving the school.

HALF DAYS OF SCHOOL are designated on the school calendar. These days are considered just as valuable as full days. Students are expected to be present unless ill.

TARDINESS results in several penalties.

School begins at 8:00 a.m.
Students who arrive late to school must report to the middle/high school office and check-in before entering their homeroom or classroom. A warning will initially be given for an unexcused tardy.
If a teacher detains a student, the student must obtain a written excuse from that teacher in order to enter the next class without penalty.
If a student enters the classroom without a written excuse from the office or another teacher, the tardy is considered unexcused and the student will receive a warning from the classroom teacher.
If the student is present at school and his/her tardiness to class exceeds 20 minutes, the student will be reported as skipping class unless a written excuse from office or teacher is presented.
If a student skips a class or is dismissed from class because of unsatisfactory behavior, the absence is considered unexcused and may warrant an honor board hearing.

FIELD TRIPS will be kept to a minimum.

Any student who is struggling academically, has excessive absences or whose conduct or attitude is questionable may be denied permission to participate in a field trip.
Students who participate in a field trip are responsible for obtaining all of their assignments and homework prior to their departure. If a student misses a test or quiz due to the field trip, it must be made up upon return from the trip. If the student was present for the assignment and/or announcement for a test on the day of return from the field trip, the student will be responsible to take the test or turn in the assignment along with the rest of the class at the designated time.

BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL

Students are to report to the cafeteria if they arrive at school before 7:50 a.m. Students are not allowed to be in unsupervised areas.
The first bell to go to lockers will ring at 7:50 a.m.
Students may only be in the middle/high school hallways if reporting to a classroom for tutorial or a planned activity supervised by a teacher.
Students who remain on campus after 4:00 p.m. must be involved with a supervised school sponsored activity, with their parents, a school official or in the school sponsored after-school care program.
Parents or drivers must pick up students in front of the school and should check with the after-school program personnel for their students.

HIGH SCHOOL DRESS CODE , MIDDLE SCHOOL DRESS CODE

<BACK | Table of Contents