LACKAWANNA HIGH SCHOOL - Lackawanna City School District

LACKAWANNA HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENT HANDBOOK
2011-2012
WWW.LACKAWANNASCHOOLS.ORG

Mission Statement
The Lackawanna City School District is a learning community that develops students’ academic
knowledge and skills for succeeding in educational and career pursuits, acquiring life long learning
skills, and demonstrating social responsibility. A motivated professional staff will utilize a well-defined
standards-based curriculum responsive to student needs.
Philosophy Statement
As an educational institution, it is our endeavor to help and assist every student to learn and master
subject area content. We realize that in this context there is great variety exhibited among students
with regard to motivation and application.
It is important that students be recognized for success in learning. This reinforcement will help build
positive attitudes toward success that the students can carry through their years of schooling and into
their adult lives. A feeling of accomplishment builds self-esteem, character, independence, and a
sense of responsibility.
We believe that it is our responsibility to encourage all students to achieve master level and provide
an opportunity to match academic potential with achievement. We also believe that it is not the
school's responsibility alone, but one shared with each student, the parents/guardians, teachers,
guidance counselors, administrators, and support staff in a teaming approach.
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Table of Contents
Mission Statement ...................................................................................................... 2
Philosophy Statement ................................................................................................. 2
High School Important Phone Extensions ...................................................................... 5
Lackawanna City School District ................................................................................... 5
High School Administration .......................................................................................... 6
High School Faculty .................................................................................................... 6
Building Support Staff ................................................................................................. 7
Class Period Schedule ................................................................................................. 8
Parental Involvement .................................................................................................. 8
Parent’s Rights ........................................................................................................... 9
Parent’s Responsibilities .............................................................................................. 9
Parent-Teacher-Student Organization (PTSO) ................................................................ 9
Full-Time Student Status ........................................................................................... 10
District Requirement ....................................................................................... 10
High School Promotion Policy ..................................................................................... 10
New York State Graduation Requirements……………………………………………………………………………..11
Core Credit Requirements ......................................................................................... 12
B.O.C.E.S. Program Offerings .......................................................................... 11
Student Residency.......................................................................................... 13
Doubling Up Of Classes ................................................................................... 12
Grading Policy .......................................................................................................... 12
Purpose .................................................................................................................. 12
Procedures .............................................................................................................. 13
Channels of Communication ...................................................................................... 13
Course Classifications ............................................................................................... 14
Quarterly Grade Weighting ........................................................................................ 14
Evaluation Criteria .................................................................................................... 14
Minimum Grade Policy .............................................................................................. 15
Grades of Incomplete ............................................................................................... 15
Guidance Office Procedures ....................................................................................... 16
Visiting the Guidance Office ....................................................................................... 16
Schedule Changes .................................................................................................... 16
Report Cards ........................................................................................................... 16
Counseling Services .................................................................................................. 16
Student Support ...................................................................................................... 17
Home-School Communication .................................................................................... 17
Career Guidance ...................................................................................................... 17
School-to-Work/School-to-Career ............................................................................... 17
Attendance Policy ..................................................................................................... 17
Statement of Overall Objectives ................................................................................. 17
Description of Strategies to Meet Objectives ................................................................ 18
Attendance .............................................................................................................. 18
Determination of Excused and Unexcused Absences, Tardiness, and Early Departures ...... 19
Student Attendance Record-keeping/Data Collection ..................................................... 19
Student Attendance/Course Credit.............................................................................. 20
Notice of Minimum Attendance Standard/Intervention Strategies Prior to the Denial of
Course Credit........................................................................................................... 21
Notice of Students who are Absent, Tardy, or Leave Early Without Proper Excuse ........... 22
Attendance Incentives .............................................................................................. 22
Incentives for Grades 9-12 .............................................................................. 22
Intervention Strategy Process .................................................................................... 22
Building Review of Attendance Records ....................................................................... 22
Annual Review by the Board of Education .................................................................... 22
Community Awareness.............................................................................................. 23
Disciplinary Consequences ......................................................................................... 23
Tardiness Policy ....................................................................................................... 23
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Truancy Policy ......................................................................................................... 24
Student Health Services ............................................................................................ 24
Procedures for School Code of Conduct and Discipline ................................................... 25
Definitions ............................................................................................................... 25
Philosophy ............................................................................................................... 26
Services .................................................................................................................. 26
Activities and Privileges ............................................................................................. 30
Lockers ................................................................................................................... 30
Student Searches and Interrogations .......................................................................... 31
Lavatory ................................................................................................................. 31
Outside the Building During School Hours .................................................................... 31
Respect for Teachers ................................................................................................ 31
Detention Policy ....................................................................................................... 31
Student Loitering Policy ............................................................................................ 31
Student Dress Code/Appropriate Language/Respectful Behavior ..................................... 32
Student Dress ................................................................................................ 32
Appropriate Language ..................................................................................... 32
Respectful Behavior ........................................................................................ 33
Electronic Communication Devices .................................................................... 33
School District Property: ........................................................................................... 33
Personal Property: .................................................................................................... 33
Electronic Devices: Electronic devices such as cell phones, pagers, beepers, laserbeams,..35
radios, mp3 players and other distractible items .......................................................... 33
Marking of Desks ..................................................................................................... 33
Student Office Helpers .............................................................................................. 34
Main Corridors ......................................................................................................... 34
Assemblies .............................................................................................................. 34
Use of Inhalers in School ........................................................................................... 34
Missing an Examination ............................................................................................. 34
Alternate School Program (ASP) ................................................................................. 34
School Safety Procedures .......................................................................................... 36
Shelter in Place ........................................................................................................ 36
Fire Drills ................................................................................................................ 36
Fire Alarms/Bomb Threats ......................................................................................... 36
Bus Procedures ........................................................................................................ 36
Student Grievance Procedure ..................................................................................... 37
Student Transportation ............................................................................................. 37
BOCES Students ...................................................................................................... 38
Visitors ................................................................................................................... 38
Visitors Parking ........................................................................................................ 39
Cafeteria Policy ........................................................................................................ 39
Cafeteria Procedures................................................................................................. 40
Study Halls .............................................................................................................. 40
Study Skills ............................................................................................................. 40
Library Passes ......................................................................................................... 41
Assemblies .............................................................................................................. 41
Conduct at Athletic Events ......................................................................................... 41
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Eligibility Policy for Student Participation in Sports and Activities…………………………………………43
Transfer Students..................................................................................................... 43
Student Participation on Sports Teams ........................................................................ 43
Student Trips ........................................................................................................... 44
Student Rights and Responsibilities ............................................................................ 44
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High School Important Phone Extensions
Alternate School Program (ASP) John Ficzere 827-6727 Ext 2125
Athletic Director Matthew McKenna 827-6727 Ext 5
Attendance Meagan Bender 827-6727 Ext 2
Custodian
Glen Brennan
Peter Mendez
David Parker
Mark Skobjak
827-6727 Ext 8
Food Service Office Charlene Morales 827-6727 Ext 6
Guidance Office (9 - 12) Thomas Tutak 827-6727 Ext 4
High School Principal Stephen Dimitroff 827-6727 Ext 1
High School Assistant Principal Matteo Anello 827-6727 Ext 7
Library Susan Palumbo 827-6727 Ext 2907
Maintenance Fran Michaels 827-6730
Nurse Diane Bozich 827-6727 Ext 3
Social Worker Bona Fox 827-6727 Ext 2921
Lackawanna City School District
Board of Education Members
Superintendent
School Attorney
John W. Makeyenko, President
Ronald S. Miller, Vice President
Lisa M. Friend
Maureen Gambinio
David M. Joyce
Kenneth S. Motyka
Michael G. Sanders
Nicholas D. Korach
Carl W. Morgan
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Principal
Assistant Principal
High School Administration
Stephen Dimitroff
Matteo Anello
High School Faculty
Art and Music Department
Patricia Carducci
James Hayes, Department Chair
Erin Holmes
Craig Kopacz
Business / Home and Careers/Technology Department Marcia Bek
Mary Cassano
Abdul Taher, Leave Teacher
Steven Hebert
Paul Ficzere
Michael Penz, Department Chair
English, English as a Second Language (ESL), and Keri Chentfant, Department Chair
Library Department
Sandy Davis
Frank Flis
Bruce Lakso
Susan Palumbo
Laura Schuh
Sira Shairi
Mary Ann Schwartz
Foreign Language
Paolina Hubbard
Mariah Kramer
Jamie-Jo Long, Department Chair
Heather Mahoney
Thomas Peters
Guidance Office
Ann Marie Hoch
Thomas Tutak, Department Chair
Abdul Zaid
Mathematics Department
Krista Bialasik
Ellen DeHoff
John Kochan
Louise Krolikowski, Department Chair
Greg Opalinski
David Oliveri
Jeffrey Otremba
Physical Education and Health Department
Rick Hubbard
Jacob Minniefield
Joe Russo, Department Chair
Heidi Steckstor
School Nurse
Diane Bozich
Lisa DePasquale
Science Department
Constantine Chuchla
Justin Gabreski
Elizabeth Viszt
Michelle Knavel
Michael Popek
Jean Gallo
Adam Tardif, Department Chair
Social Studies Department
Michelle Blake
Joseph DeCecco
Martin Hernik
Tom Kacalski, Department Chair
Lauren Pacillo – Leave Teacher
Jeff Patronik
Mark Spacone
Social Worker
Bona Fox
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Special Education
Teacher Aides
Secretaries to High School Principal
Secretary to Guidance Office
Central Printing
Monitors
Custodians
Deanna Caldwell
Nancy Demarco, Department Chair
John Ficzere
Timothy Foley
Sean Gong
Nicole Parry
Kevin Shadle
Gregory Stachowski
Nicholas Stepien
Sara Wiencek
Carol Chudzik
Abdul Noman
Donna Klubek
Sue Scarsella
Building Support Staff
Nancy Thomas
Karen Longboat
Dawn Polanski
Marcia Tos
Patricia Churney
Glen Brennan
Peter Mendez
David Parker
Mark Skobjak
Lackawanna High School Class Bell
Schedules
Period 5 Lunch Period 7 Lunch Period 9 Lunch
Period Start Time—End Time Period Start Time—End Time Period Start Time—End Time
1 7:30-8:19 1 7:30-8:19 1 7:30-8:19
2 8:23-9:03 2 8:23-9:03 2 8:23-9:03
3 9:07-9:47 3 9:07-9:47 3 9:07-9:47
4 9:51-10:31 4 9:51-10:31 4 9:51-10:31
5 10:35-11:05 5-6 10:35-11:15 5-6 10:35-11:15
6-7 11:09-11:49 7 11:19-11:49 7-8 11:19-11:59
8-9 11:53-12:33 8-9 11:53-12:33 9 12:03-12:33
10 12:37-1:17 10 12:37-1:17 10 12:37-1:17
11 1:21-2:01 11 1:21-2:01 11 1:21-2:01
NOTE: Announcements and daily attendance will take place at the end of Period 1.
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LHS Student Calendar
September 1-2 Superintendent's Conference Days
5 Labor Day Holiday
6 First Student Attendance Day(PK-12)
29 Open House HS @ 7:00pm
October 7 Five Week Progress Reports
10 Columbus Day Observed
13 HS Pictures Underclassmen
18-20 HS Pictures Seniors
November 10 Half Day (K-12) Professional development,
End of First Quarter
11 Veterans Day
15 HS Picture retakes, absentee/make ups
23 Half Day K-12 Conferences
24-25 Thanksgiving Recess
29 HS First Quarter Honors Breakfast @ 8:30 am
December 1 Parent/Teacher Conferences (K-6)
16 Fifteen Week Progress Reports
20 Annual Holiday Concert @ 7:00pm
23 Winter Recess Begins
January 3 School Resumes
16 Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
18 January Orientation
24-27 Regents Examinations,
27 End of Second Quarter
February 10 Half Day K-12 Professional Development
14 HS Second Quarter Honors Breakfast @ 8:30
20-24 Mid-Winter Break
March 2 Twenty-Five Week Progress Reports
16 Superintendent's Conference Day
April 3 Annual Spring Concert @ 7:00pm
5 End of Third Quarter
6-13 Spring Recess
May 1 HS Third Quarter Honors Breakfast @ 8:30
8 Annual Arts Festival @ 7:00pm
9 Senior Panoramic Photo
15 Superintendent's Conference Day
18 35 Week Progress Reports
25-28 Memorial Day Weekend
June 8 Class Day, Prom
13-22 Regents Examinations
22 Last Day of School, End of Fourth Quarter
24 High School Graduation
Parental Involvement
Parents of students attending Lackawanna High School are encouraged to participate in a variety of
activities directly related to their child's educational experience. Monthly P.T.S.O. (Parent- Teacher -
Student Organization) meetings will be publicized throughout the year. All parents are encouraged to
get involved to help promote a positive atmosphere in the High School and the community.
Visitations of the school are encouraged during the school year with prior arrangements made through
the School Principal's Office. Classroom visitation, except under extraordinary circumstances, is
discouraged due its disruption of the teaching and learning process.
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Parent’s Rights
Parents should be aware of their rights. These include the following:
- Know what is expected of your child.
- Know what and how your child is being taught.
- Know the progress your child is making on a timely basis.
- Be informed if your child experiences difficulty.
- Be able to see your child's school records.
- Be able to visit your child's school and talk to your child's teachers and principal at
appointed times.
- Be encouraged to assist and participate in educational decision-making.
- Be treated with courtesy and respect by school personnel.
Parent’s Responsibilities
Parents should also be aware of their responsibilities. These include the following:
- Send your child to school rested, clean, fed and ready to learn.
- Ensure that your child attends school regularly.
- Be aware of your child's work, progress and problems.
- Maintain continuing contact with your child's teachers and principal.
- Reinforce at home the importance of acquiring knowledge, skills, and values needed to
function in society.
- Volunteer time, skills, and resources when needed and possible.
- Take part in school/community programs that empower parents to participate in making
educational decisions.
- Respond in a timely fashion to communications from your child's school.
- Attend conferences as requested by school personnel.
- Support the general discipline policies of the school at home.
Parent-Teacher-Student Organization (PTSO)
MISSION: The mission of the PTSO is to aid the students of the LMS/LHS by providing support for their
educational and recreational needs and to promote open communication among Administration,
Parents, Teachers and Students.
PARENT-TEACHER-STUDENT ORGANIZATION (PTSO) -- This group meets to discuss a variety of topics.
The meetings begin at 7 p.m. All parents and high school students are welcome at all meetings.
PTSO MEETINGS
Meetings are held in the High School Cafeteria from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
LMS/LHS PTSO Meeting dates:
September 22- First meeting
November 17- District meeting
January 19- Regular meeting
March 22- District meeting at High School
May meeting will be at last Sports Banquet
ZAP A SNACK Fundraiser
9/12 through 9/30
Delivery 10/27
COOKIE DOUGH Fundraiser
10/28 through 11/10
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Delivery 12/13
SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR
11/14 through 11/18/
25% off
4/23/12 through 4/27/12
Buy one/get one free
Please consider these meetings as a way to stay informed of your child’s education. Also, please
consider coming to any or all of these meetings. We are a friendly group with an outstretched hand to
welcome you.
Full-Time Student Status
A full-time student at Lackawanna High School must carry at least five (5) academic subjects and
physical education for each semester. Students who are not considered full-time students are not
eligible for academic honors and awards, the Honors Programs, Honor Roll, class office, interscholastic
athletics, extra-curricular activities, and/or Senior Privilege.
District Requirement
To obtain course credit and advance to the next level in a subject area, students must have a 65 or
higher final average for the course (four quarterly averages plus final examination). This district
requirement is in addition to the NYS Education Department graduation requirements.
High School Promotion Policy
To be considered a 12 th Grade Student and eligible for Senior Class activities, a student must be
carrying a schedule which will fulfill graduation requirements by June of their cohort senior year.
STATE GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Total Units of Credit: All students must acquire at least 22 units of credit to graduate.
Note that 22 credits is the minimum amount established by The State Education Department.
Completion of a High School Diploma is the goal in setting this standard. This is not necessarily
a sufficient amount of credits to achieve other goals, such as being admitted to the college of
your choice. Course selection and amount of credits are considered by colleges in addition to
your grades, among other factors.
Regents Diploma
(required courses)
Advanced Designation
Regents Diploma
(required courses)
English 4 English 4
Social Studies 4 Social Studies 4
Math 3 Math 3
Science 3 Science 3
Second Language 1 Second Language 3
Art/Music 1 Art/Music 1
Health .5 Health .5
Physical Education 2 Physical Education 2
Electives 3.5 Electives 1.5
TOTAL 22 TOTAL 22
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Exams to be passed with a score of 65 or above for graduation:
Regents Exams
English Language Arts
One of the following:
Integrated Algebra
Geometry
Algebra 2/Trigonometry
Global History 10R
US History 11R
One Science R
Advanced Designation Exams
English Language Arts
All Three of the following:
Integrated Algebra
Geometry
Algebra 2/Trigonometry
Global History 10R
US History 11R
Two Sciences (1 Living and
1 Physical)
Second Language
Exam Substitutions:
-Participation in a two year BOCES program can be substituted for the Second Language exam
only.
-Students acquiring 5 units in occupational studies may be exempted from the 3-unit
requirement in a Second Language. Those students must have 1 unit in a Second Language,
which can be earned by passing a proficiency examination or by passing a high school course.
-A Regents diploma may also be awarded for students who are exempted from the 3-unit
requirement in a second language by completing 2 years of study in occupational studies or arts.
Those students must have one unit in Second Language, which can be earned by passing a
proficiency examination or by passing a high school course.
To reach the required units of credit, students may take additional courses in any areas they
choose.
Lackawanna High School’s graduation ceremony is a privilege, not a right, and can be taken away. All
seniors and their parents or guardians must read and sign the graduation packet and commencement
form. The graduation committee coordinates the ceremony each year. No student will be allowed to
take part in the graduation ceremony unless he or she has met all the graduation packet requirements
and has met all the academic requirements for graduation.
B.O.C.E.S. Program Offerings
The following courses are also available to Lackawanna High School 11th and 12th grade students.
The students attend BOCES as part of their instructional day. Contact the guidance office for a
complete updated list.
Automotive Tech I
Fashion Design and Merchandizing II
Auto Tech II
Graphic Design I
Auto Collision Repair I
Graphic Design II
Auto Collision Repair II
Personal Training I
Automotive Custom Painting &Graphics I
Personal Training II
Automotive Custom Painting &Graphics II
Health Careers
Building Trades I
Intro to Nursing
Building Trades II
Welding I
Cosmetology I
Welding II
Cosmetology II
Computer Aided Drafting Cad I(Harkness)
Culinary Skills I
Computer Aided Drafting Cad II(Harkness)
Culinary Skills II
Web Tech & Gaming Program I
Criminal Justice I
Web Tech & Gaming Program II
Criminal Justice II
Spa Specialty I (Harkness)
CISCO Networking Academy I (Harkness)
Spa Specialty II (Harkness)
CISCO Networking Academy II (Harkness)
Television and Sound Production I (Harkness)
Electronics and Computer Technology I (Harkness)
Television and Sound Production II (Harkness)
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Electronics and Computer Technology II
(Harkness)
Early Childhood Education I
Early Childhood Education II
Electrical Systems I
Electrical Systems II
Fashion Design and Merchandizing I
Dental Lab Technology I (Harkness)
Dental Lab Technology II (Harkness)
Pre Engineering Tech(PLTW) (Harkness)
OE I
OE II
Career Exploration
Student Residency
Resident students may be admitted only in accordance with the approved Board of Education policy.
The parent or legal guardian at the time of registration to any of the district schools, upon entering
the school building must present photo identification. For student registration the parent or legal
guardian must present: original birth certificate, two (2) utility bills as proof of residency; (2) student
records from previous school that include medical statement, attendance records, academic records,
disciplinary history or statements before application for registration can be processed. If a student
seeking entry is not living with his parents, his guardian is required to produce a court ordered
document.
Doubling Up Of Classes
The practice of students doubling up on classes is a privilege not a right to all students. The building
principal has the discretion to allow a student to exercise this privilege based on the following criteria:
- Attending & completing summer school
- Demonstrating good daily attendance
- Exhibiting proper daily behavior
- Graduation being attainable during that particular year.
Grading Policy
Each student will be provided with a summarized copy of the Grading Policy.
Purpose
To develop an effective evaluation policy, Lackawanna High School has adopted a two-fold approach.
1. A formal grade reporting system will be used in grades 9 through 12. It will provide information
about student progress during a specified marking period in an efficient, concise, and uniform
manner using numeric grades. These reports will give the professional staff, parents/guardians,
and students an objective and comprehensive picture of student progress. Supplemental reports
(interim reports and informal letters) will be used throughout the marking periods to provide more
detail in identifying and describing student progress to the parents/guardians.
2. Conferences are available upon request by parents/guardians, teachers, administrators, or
students. Please note that conferences must be scheduled according to teacher availability.
Teaching time will not be interrupted. It is hoped that these conferences will:
a. contribute to improved student learning.
b. clarify intended learning outcomes.
c. provide feedback concerning learning progress.
d. provide suggestions for overcoming learning difficulties.
e. contribute positively to the student's motivation to improve achievement.
These conferences are an opportunity for active involvement of parents/guardians in the
educational process enabling them to assume responsibility for providing the necessary help,
support, and encouragement their children need for academic success. Also, these conferences
provide an opportunity for parents/guardians to share with the school any insights or information
about the student which might be helpful in working with the student.
12

Procedures
INTERIM PROGRESS REPORTS. Each curriculum department has developed an evaluation form that may
be used at the five-week point of each quarter. The Guidance Office will mail these form/s to the
parents/guardians. Included in the mailing may be an informative article to help parents/guardians
prepare for a conference. The interim progress reports may also be used at any time during the
school year as a tool to communicate with parents/guardians about student achievement.
CONFERENCE. A conference will be scheduled upon request. Guidance Office personnel will coordinate
conference scheduling. The conference may include the parents/guardians, the student, the student's
teachers, the assigned counselor, and any support staff requested. The purpose of the conference is
to:
1. develop a better understanding of the areas of concern relating to student achievement.
2. form a partnership between the home and school.
3. inform parents/guardians of factors that affect the lack of success in learning.
4. involve the parents/guardians as a partner in learning.
5. re-establish expectations and means by which these expectations can be met.
6. provide the necessary tools for student success.
7. give the student the opportunity to follow the measures outlined in the conference.
Please note that conference times are limited to teacher availability during non-instruction time.
Teaching time will not be interrupted.
Channels of Communication
A description of the channels of communication available to the professional staff is as follows:
a. Each teacher will develop a printed course outline with expectations. Students should share
expectations. It will contain:
1. a brief description of the course.
2. grading standards to be used.
3. classroom expectations.
4. any other information the teacher deems necessary.
b. Letters to parents/guardians can/may provide communication concerning:
1. basic information about the grading policy and procedures.
2. actions being taken in the student's school program.
3. the need for a conference concerning the student's academic standing.
4. congratulatory messages recognizing the student's academic accomplishments.
c. Interim progress reports developed by each department can be used throughout the marking
period to provide:
1. detailed information concerning the student's strengths and weaknesses in a specified course.
2. suggestions for improvement.
3. information about needed consultation concerning the student's academic standing.
4. follow-up information concerning the student's academic standing following a conference.
d. Daily Progress Reports can be used to provide:
1. direct communication between home and school on a daily basis with each subject area
teacher. Progress reports contain the following information:
• assignments, attendance, classroom behavior, class participation, and study effort
2. parent/teacher interaction.
3. aid for organization for tests and assignments.
4. parent awareness of test scores.
5. for parent, student, and teacher commitment.
e. Parent/Guardian-Teacher Conferences provide:
1. two-way communications between home and school.
2. an opportunity for parents/guardians and professional staff to share relevant information
concerning the student.
3. an opportunity to cooperatively plan a program for improving the student's learning and
academic development.
f. Parent/Guardian-Teacher phone and email communication.
13

Course Classifications
a. Advanced Placement Courses
1. Must be college level curriculum
2. AP exam (ETS) is optional
3. Student is responsible for applicable fees
b. Honors Courses
1. May use texts and materials of a higher grade level and require in-depth and long-term
projects, such as research papers, which develop critical thinking skills.
2. Sponsoring department submits course description to the Curriculum and Instruction Office
showing work that fulfills honor classification requirements. Course descriptions may be found
in the curriculum handbook.
c. Regents Courses
1. Follow the NYS curriculum prescribed for regents level courses.
2. Students are required to take Regents examinations.
d. General Courses
1. Follow the curriculum outlined by state or approved by district's administration.
2. Require a teacher-prepared final and/or Regents competency exam.
Quarterly Grade Weighting
Because the content, required work, and difficulty factor of regents and honors courses exceed that of
general courses, a system for grade weighting quarterly and final course averages for regents and
honors courses will be used. This will provide equity in quarterly averages and end-of-year averages
for class ranking so that a student's grades in regents and honors courses reflect the greater demands
of these courses. The weighted quarterly average is used to determine a student's placement on the
High Honor, Honor, and Merit Rolls.
Although greater depth of knowledge and understanding is the major benefit of these courses, it is felt
that students who choose a more challenging curriculum should not be penalized with a lower grade
when determining class ranking.
The following difficulty factors will apply:
COURSE
DIFFICULTY FACTOR
Advanced Placement and Honors Courses 1.04
Including: Modern American Lit. Honors, Pre-calculus Honors, Human Biology and Nutrition
Regents 1.02
General 1.00
The actual grade for each course will be reported on the grade reporting forms issued for each
marking period. The WEIGHTED MARKING PERIOD AVERAGE (average of all courses taken) reported
on each grade reporting form will be the average of the grades weighted after applying the course
difficulty factors.
The following example shows how a student's weighted marking period average would be determined:
WEIGHTED
REPORTED DIFFICULTY QUARTERLY
COURSE GRADE FACTOR GRADE
English 11 R 86 1.02 87.72
AP US History 82 1.04 85.28
Pre-Calculus 90 1.04 93.6
French 3 R 92 1.02 93.84
Gen. Chemistry 95 1.00 95
Accounting 94 1.00 94
Phys Ed S
Weighted Marking Period Average
Weighted Average = Sum of Weighted Grades / # of Courses
Weighted Average = 549.44 / 6
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Weighted Average = 91.57
A student's class rank is determined by his/her weighted average. The final weighted average each
year is achieved by applying the difficulty factor to the final average in each course.
The Valedictorian and Salutatorian honors are determined by the weighted averages and rank ordering
of the class after the seventh (7th) semester.
Achieving Course Credit
In order to achieve credit for any course, a student must receive a FINAL AVERAGE of 65% or higher.
In all one-year courses in which a final exam is given, the final average will be the average of the
quarterly averages and the course final exam (each has a weight of 1/5). In all one-semester courses
in which a course final exam is given, the final average will be determined by giving each quarterly
average a weight of two and the course final exam a weight of one. Thus, the course final exam would
have a weight of 1/5.
To receive Regents credit, the student must achieve a 65% or higher on the Regents examination.
Honor and Merit Roll
To qualify for placement on honor and merit rolls the following criteria will be used:
1. High Honor 94.5+
2. Honor 89.5 -- 94.4
3. Merit 84.5 -- 89.4
A student is eligible and will be recognized for the High Honor, Honor or Merit Roll only if the student
is carrying the required number of courses (5 plus gym in grades 11, 12; 6 plus gym in grades 9, 10)
regardless of his/her reason or exceptional circumstances for carrying fewer subjects.
A student is not eligible for and will not be recognized for High Honor, Honor, or Merit Roll if:
1. any numeric grade is below 75.
2. any grade of U is recorded for the quarter.
3. any grade of Incomplete (I) is recorded for the quarter.
Goals, Meetings, Activities of the National Honor Society
The goals and objectives of the National Honor Society are to promote the four ideals: scholarship in
our school, service to the community, leadership of the people and character. The National Honor
Society accomplishes these goals by holding the students inducted into the society to high standards
of academics, leadership, character and service. Our members volunteer in the community at various
events in the city, set an example in school all while excelling academically.
Evaluation Criteria
In evaluating student progress and measuring intended learning outcomes, requirements may be
established for specific courses. These may include, but are not limited to, text assignments, class
work, research papers, notebooks, special reports, quizzes, tests, class participation, attendance, and
effort.
Minimum Grade Policy
The minimum grade will be a 50 and represents a quarterly average of a value less than 50.
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Grades of Incomplete
a. If a student is unable to complete course requirements during a marking period, a grade of
Incomplete (I) may be assigned.
b. The purpose of an incomplete grade is to provide a student who has legitimate circumstances
with a brief extension period in which to complete coursework. For example, a student may
have had a long-term illness, which prevented him/her from completing the work required for
a marking period. The student must complete all assignments before the eighth week of the
next marking period. Teachers will report all changed grades to the Guidance Office before
the end of the ninth week of the new marking period. Any incomplete (I) grades, which
remain, will be changed to the grade earned based on work completed and will be recorded as
such on grade report forms.
c. A grade of Incomplete (I) can be used only during the first three marking periods because all
grades must be finalized (numeric) during the last marking period.
This policy will be evaluated/monitored on a yearly basis by the Building Planning Team. Feedback
received from staff members will be evaluated by the team. Any modifications, additions, or deletions
that are considered necessary will be recommended to building administration by the Building Planning
Team.
Guidance Office Procedures
Visiting the Guidance Office
Throughout the year, any student wishing to visit the office for catalogs, general information,
scheduling, applications, etc., must obtain a Counselor Request Form from their Period 1 teacher.
Carefully fill in your name, Period 1, grade, date, period, and days you are there, and the purpose for
the visit. The Period 1 teacher will forward this to the Guidance Office and you will be notified when to
report to the Guidance Office. Students should not report to the Guidance Office unless a counselor
sends for them. However, students may stop in before school or after school any day without a pass
to make an appointment with their counselor.
All students are expected to report to his/her scheduled classes whether or not the student intends to
continue with that subject(s). (In emergency situations, please contact an administrator.)
Schedule Changes
Students are given an opportunity to make course requests in the Spring.
There will be no schedule changes except for the following:
1. If a student has fewer than six (6) subjects including English & Social Studies plus Gym.
2. Schedule conflicts.
3. Errors in scheduling.
4. Adding a course.
Report Cards
Report cards are issued 4 times per year, and are mailed to the student's home address. If you have
changed your address or have not received your report card, Pease notify the Guidance Office as soon
as possible. All changes should be submitted in writing and be signed by a parent or guardian.
(Phone verification also may be necessary.)
Counseling Services
The Guidance Office coordinates a number of services available to all students and their parents,
including support groups, parent-teacher conferences, career awareness programs, college
applications and scholarship information, student orientations, academic counseling and course
scheduling.
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Student Support
The teen years can be an exciting time for experiencing new adventures. They can also be a time of
stress and challenge both at school and at home. Lackawanna High School offers a variety of
resources to help students during these special times. The School Counselors are available to meet
with students on an individual basis. In addition, teen support groups are offered focusing on selfesteem,
bereavement, discipline problems, substance use and abuse, and teen issues.
Home-School Communication
Parent-Teacher conferences are also an integral part of the Counseling program. These conferences
help to establish, improve, and maintain communication between the school, the students, and their
parents. Any parent, who is interested in scheduling a conference, with either the teacher or
counselor, should contact their student’s counselor at 827-6727 Ext 4.
If a student will be out multiple days (3 days minimum), please contact our office on the first day of
the absence, to assure that work can be collected. Parents who wish to request homework due to
student illness are requested to contact the HS Guidance Office 827-6727 Ext 4, no later than 8:30
am.
Career Guidance
It is no longer easy for students to “fall” onto the right career path or into the right job. Good
planning and preparation are the keys to a successful future. The academic courses offered at
Lackawanna help develop the skills that will open the doors to a successful career search. The
Guidance Office provides a number of computer programs designed to help our students with interest
inventories, the college search process, finding sources of financial aid and matching their aptitudes
and interests with appropriate career areas. These programs are available to students in the Guidance
Office.
School-to-Work/School-to-Career
Counselors’ also work very closely with upperclassmen on college and career plans. Programs on the
college application process and financial aid (including scholarships) are sponsored annually by the
Guidance Office. Scholarship information is publicized through Period 2 bulletins, showcases, and
announcements.
Maintaining the student’s academic records, and the scheduling of classes for the next year are also
responsibilities of the Guidance Office. The counselors meet with each student at least once a year to
review the student’s progress and to make plans for the following year. This process is further spelled
out in the section on the “Course Selection process.”
Attendance Policy
Statement of Overall Objectives
School attendance is both a right and a responsibility. The School District is an active partner with
students and parents in the task of ensuring that all students meet or exceed the New York State
Learning Standards. Because the School District recognizes that consistent school attendance,
academic success, and school completion have a positive correlation, the school District has
developed, and if necessary, will revise a Comprehensive Student Attendance Policy to meet the
following objectives:
a.)
b.)
c.)
d.)
e.)
f.)
To increase school completion for all students
To raise student achievement and close gaps in student performance
To identify attendance patterns in order to design attendance improvement efforts
To know the whereabouts of every student for safety and other reasons
To verify that individual students are complying with education laws relating to compulsory
attendance
To determine and improve the District’s average daily attendance for State aid purposes.
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Description of Strategies to Meet Objectives
The School District will:
a.) Create and maintain a positive school building culture by fostering a positive physical and
psychological environment where the presence of strong adult role models encourages
respectful and nurturing interactions between adults and students. This positive school culture
is aimed at encouraging a high level of student bonding to the school, which in turn should lead
to increased attendance.
b.) Maintain accurate record keeping via a Register of Attendance using the Web Attendance
Program to record attendance, absence, tardiness, or early departure of each student.
c.) Utilize data analysis systems for tracking individual student attendance and individual and group
trends in student attendance problems.
d.) Develop and implement early intervention strategies to improve school attendance for all
students.
Attendance
More and more potential employers are telling us in very positive language that attendance and
punctuality patterns are critical factors in judging the employability of job applicants. To be effective,
a modern school must work to create the best possible climate for establishing appropriate attendance
and punctuality habits. Every student is expected to be in school every day unless he/she is absent
with parental approval.
Each student is provided a copy of the attendance policy approved by the Board of Education. If a
student's attendance falls below the stated minimum requirement for a course, he will be excluded
from any final exam in that course and no credit will be given.
A. Absence: Upon return to school, the student is to bring a signed note from a parent or
guardian stating the date and the reason for the absence. This note is to be given to the
Attendance Officer on the day of return. Failure to bring an excuse after being notified
by the Attendance Officer may result in disciplinary action.
Attendance Office … Tel. 827-6727 Ext #2
B. Tardiness: Students in grades 9-12 that arrive in school after 7:30 a.m. must enter the building
using the doors near the Central Office (near the U-Drive) and report directly to the Attendance
Office.
No student will be permitted to enter school after 9 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent or
presenting a Tardy Note from a parent. The Tardy Note must be legible and include the student’s
full name, date, the parent/guardian’s full name, a home and cell phone number for the
parent/guardian, the reason for the tardy and if due to appointment – a phone number and
contact name. The attendance officer will verify immediately. Any student coming in after 9 a.m.
will not be eligible for any extracurricular activities for that day.
Lateness, as well as absences, is recorded daily in the attendance office. Arriving late, which is
anytime after 7:30 a.m., may result in DETENTION. The only exceptions will be when the bus
arrives late. Car problems, oversleeping, and inexcusable personal reasons are not acceptable
justifications for lateness.
C. Early Release: Early releases will not be granted for routine medical appointments or for
anything that can be done on non-school time. In those rare cases when a student must leave
school early, the following procedures must be followed:
1. An Early Release Note from a parent or guardian must be presented to the Attendance Office
before 8:15 a.m. None will be accepted afterward.
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2. The Early Release Note must be legible and include the student’s full name, date, the
parent/guardian’s full name, a home and cell phone number for the parent/guardian, the

eason for the early release and if due to appointment – a phone number and contact name
(Dr.’s Office, Clinic, Court, etc.), the appointment date, and appointment time.
3. At the time of release, the students is to come directly to the Attendance Office, pick up an
early release pass, sign out with the parent/guardian, and leave immediately through the
designated exit.
4. Any student still in the building 5 minutes after the approved early departure time will have this
privilege immediately revoked and must return to class.
5. The parent or guardian must sign out the student.
6. Students shall be granted no more than one early release per quarter or a total of 4 per school
year.
7. Failure to adhere to the early release sign-out procedure may result in the student being
suspended in-school.
8. There will be no early releases given on days of assemblies, early dismissal days or for driving
tests.
D. Physical Education Absence: Long-term absence from the physical education program requires
a written statement from a physician. Long-term excuses (5 days or more) will be processed
through the nurse's office in conjunction with the physical education office. A written report or
project may be assigned to students who have long-term absences.
Temporary absence from the physical education program (1-4 days) requires a written statement
from the parent or physician and is given directly to the physical education instructor.
All students excused from physical education will remain in the gym class rather than being
assigned to a study hall or the library.
Determination of Excused and Unexcused Absences, Tardiness, and Early Departures
Based upon our District’s education and community needs, values, and priorities, the School District
has determined that absences, tardiness, and early departures will be considered excused or
unexcused according to the following standards:
a.) Excused Absence: An absence, tardiness, or early departure may be excused if due to
personal illness, illness or death in the family, impassable roads due to inclement weather,
religious observance and the education pursuant to Commissioner’s Regulations, religious
holidays as determined by the Superintendent of Schools, quarantine, required court
appearances, medical appointments, administratively approved college visits, approved
cooperative work programs, military obligations, administratively approved school-sponsored
activities, or other such reasons as may be approved by the Board of Education. Students with
excused absences, tardiness, or early departures will be provided the opportunity to make up
missed class work as further elaborated in this policy.
b.) Unexcused Absence: An absence, tardiness, or early departure is considered unexcused if the
reason for the lack of attendance does not fall into the above categories (e.g., family vacation,
hunting, babysitting, hair cut, obtaining learner’s permit, road test, oversleeping). Students
with unexcused absences, tardiness, or early departures will not be provided the opportunity to
make up missed class work.
c.) Excuses: All absences require a written note, including date and reason for absence, from the
parent/Guardian on the student’s day of return to school. Excuses may be verified for
authenticity.
Student Attendance Record-keeping/Data Collection
The record of each student’s presence, absence, tardiness, and early departure shall be kept in a
register of attendance in a manner consistent with Commissioner’s Regulations. An absence,
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tardiness, or early departure will be entered as “excused” or “unexcused” along with the District code
for the reason.
Commencing July 1, 2003, attendance shall be taken and recorded in accordance with the following:
a.) For students in grades nine through twelve or in departmentalized schools at any grade level
(i.e., students pass individually to different classes throughout the day) each student’s presence
or absence shall be recorded after the taking of attendance in each period of scheduled
instruction except that where students do not change classrooms for each period of scheduled
instruction, attendance shall be taken in accordance with paragraph “a” above. The District
currently has a grade six through grade twelve departmentalized program.
b.) Any absence for a school day or portion thereof shall be recorded as excused or unexcused in
accordance with the standards articulated in this policy.
c.) In the event that a student at any instructional level from kindergarten through grade twelve
arrives late for or departs early from scheduled instruction, such tardiness or early departure
shall be recorded as excused or unexcused in accordance with the standards articulated in this
policy.
A record shall be kept of each scheduled day of instruction during which the school is closed for all or
part of the day because of extraordinary circumstances including adverse weather conditions,
impairment of heating facilities, insufficiency of water supply, shortage of fuel, destruction of or
damage to a school building, or such other cause as may be found satisfactory to the Commissioner of
Education.
Attendance records shall also indicate the date when a student withdraws from enrollment or is
dropped from enrollment in accordance with Education Law Section 3202(1-a).
At the conclusion of each class period or school day, all attendance information shall be compiled and
provided to the designated school personnel who are responsible for attendance. The nature of the
absence, tardiness, or early departure shall be coded on a student’s record in accordance with the
established District/building procedures.
Student Attendance/Course Credit
The district believes that classroom participation is related to and affects a student’s performance and
grasp of the subject matter and, as such, is properly reflected in a student’s final grade. For purposes
of this policy, classroom participation means that a student is in class and prepared to work.
Consequently, for each marking period a certain percentage of a student’s final grade will be based on
classroom participation as well as the student’s performance on homework, tests, papers, projects,
etc. as determined by the building administrator and/or classroom teacher.
Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes. Consistent with the importance of classroom
participation, student absences, tardiness, or early departures that are unexcused will affect a
student’s grade, including credit for classroom participation, for the marking period.
At the middle school/senior high school level, any student with more than 28 absences in a course
may not receive credit for the course. However, it is District policy that students with properly
excused absences, tardiness, and early departures for which the student has performed any assigned
make-up work, assignments and/or tests shall not be counted as an absence for the purpose of
determining the student’s eligibility for course credit. District procedures will specify how student
tardiness and early departures will be calculated and factored into the District’s minimum attendance
standard.
For courses meeting ½ year, the same policy will apply and a calculation of the absences will be
prorated accordingly (14 days for ½ year).
For all lab classes, the student must meet the New York State minimum requirement of 1200 minutes
of lab participation to be eligible for the final exam.
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Transfer students will be expected to attend a prorated minimum number of the scheduled class
meetings during their time of enrollment.
Students will be considered in attendance if the student is:
a.) Physically present in the classroom or working under the direction of the classroom teacher
during the class scheduled meeting time; or
b.) Working pursuant to an approved independent study program; or
c.) Receiving approved alternative instruction.
Students who are absent from class due to:
a.) Participation in related services as recommended in the current I.E.P.;
b.) Building administration request; or
c.) Participation in a school sponsored activity,
are to arrange with their teachers to make up any work missed in a timely manner as determined by
the student’s teacher. Attendance at school sponsored events where instruction is substantially
equivalent to the instruction which was missed shall be counted as the equivalent of regular
attendance in class.
Upon returning to school following a properly excused absence, tardiness, or early departure, it shall
be the responsibility of the student to consult with his/her teacher(s) regarding arrangements to make
up missed work, assignments and/or tests. Completed work must be submitted to the student’s
teacher no later than 5 days after the student’s return to school. Alternate assignments, tests,
and/or class work may be assigned at the discretion of the classroom teacher. If the student is absent
on the 5th day, all previously assigned work is due the day he/she returns.
In the case of a long-term project/portfolio, all work will be due on or before the date given. If a
student is absent on the final due date, the student must turn in his/her work the day he/she
returns. Extensions may be granted with principal’s review and approval. The review process may
involve the student, parent/guardian and/or teacher.
Notice of Minimum Attendance Standard/Intervention Strategies Shall Be Given Prior to the
Denial of Course Credit
In order to ensure that parents/persons in parental relation and students are informed of the District’s
policy regarding minimum attendance and course credit, and the implementation of specific
intervention strategies to be employed prior to the denial of course credit to the student for
insufficient attendance, the following guidelines shall be followed:
a.) Copies of the District’s Comprehensive Student Attendance Policy provided to students at the
beginning of each school year or at the time of enrollment in the District by means of the
student handbook.
b.) At Level 1, an Accumulated Class Absence Report will provide notification to the parent/guardian
of any student who has accumulated ten (10) absences from class for a half year course or
eighteen (18) absences from class for a full year course. An absence form from the Attendance
Office will be sent home to the parent/guardian. This procedure is intended to alert the
parent/guardian of attendance problems prior to their resulting in denial of graded work, and
consequently, course credit (14 days for a half year course and 28 days for a full year course).
c.) At Level 2, the Principal will notify the parent/guardian that the student has exceeded the
number of absences allowed and for excused absences only has failed to complete make-up
requirements, so has lost credit for the course.
d.) Lab Deficiency Reports: Parents of students who are deficient in lab participation will be notified
by the teacher at least twice each marking period.
e.) At periodic intervals, a designated staff member(s) will notify, by telephone, the
Parent/Guardian of the student’s absence, tardiness, or early departure and explain the
relationship of the student’s attendance to his/her ability to receive course credit. If the
Parent/Guardian cannot be reached by telephone, a letter shall be sent detailing this
information.
f.) The Attendance Officer will review the District’s Attendance Policy with students who have
excessive and/or unexcused absences, tardiness, or early departures. Teachers also review
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classroom attendance and notify the Attendance Officer of students who have excessive and or
unexcused absences. Further, appropriate student support services/personnel within the
District, as well as the possible collaboration/referral to community support services and
agencies, will be implemented prior to the denial of course credit for insufficient attendance by
the student.
Notice of Students who are Absent, Tardy, or Leave Early Without Proper Excuse
The Attendance Officer shall notify by telephone the Parent/Guardian to a student who is absent,
tardy, or departs early without proper excuse. Parents must maintain an active home or work number
with the school in order to facilitate this process. The Attendance Officer shall explain the District’s
Comprehensive Student Attendance Policy, the District’s/building level intervention procedures, and, if
appropriate, the relationship between student attendance and course credit. If the parent/Guardian
cannot be reached by telephone, the Attendance Officer will provide such notification by mail.
Further, the District’s Attendance Policy will be mailed to the Parent/Guardian to promote awareness
and help ensure compliance with the policy.
If deemed necessary by appropriate school officials, or if requested by the Parent/Guardian, a school
conference shall be scheduled between the Parent/Guardian and appropriate staff members in order to
address the student’s attendance. The student may also be requested to attend this conference in
order to address appropriate intervention strategies that best meet the needs of the student.
Attendance Incentives
In order to encourage student attendance, the District will develop and implement gradeappropriate/building-level
strategies and programs that may include but are not limited to:
Incentives for Grades 9-12
Students who have a ninety five percent (95%) attendance rate in all their classes will earn
an incentive through the PBIS program. Intervention Strategy Process
In order to effectively intervene when an identified pattern of unexcused absences, tardiness, or early
departures occur, designated District personnel will pursue the following:
a.) Identify specific element(s) of the pattern (e.g., grade level, building, time frame, type of
unexcused absences, tardiness, or early departures);
b.) Contact the District staff most closely associated with the element. In specific cases where the
pattern involves an individual student, the student and parent/Guardian will be contacted;
c.) Discuss strategies to directly intervene with specific elements such as the Family Achievement
Center and Student Assistance Program;
d.) Recommend intervention to the Superintendent or his/her designee if it relates to change in
District policy or procedure;
e.) Implement changes, as approved by appropriate administration;
f.) Utilize appropriate District and/or community resources to address and help remediate student
unexcused absences, tardiness, or early departures such as PINS Diversion and referral to
Family Court;
g.) Monitor and report short and long term effects of intervention.
Building Review of Attendance Records
The building principal will work in conjunction with the attendance officer in reviewing attendance
records at the end of each term. This review is conducted to identify individual and group attendance
patterns and to initiate appropriate action to address the problem of unexcused absences, tardiness,
and early departures.
Annual Review by the Board of Education
The Board of Education shall annually review the building level student attendance records and if such
records show a decline in student attendance, the Board shall make any revisions to the Policy and
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plan deemed necessary to improve student attendance.
Community Awareness
The Board of Education shall promote necessary community awareness of the District’s
Comprehensive Student Attendance Policy by:
a.) Providing a plain language summary of the policy to parents/guardians to students at the
beginning of each school year and promoting the understanding of such a policy to students and
their parents/guardians;
b.) Providing each teacher, at the beginning of the school year or upon employment, with a copy of
the policy; and
c.) Providing copies of the policy to any other member of the community upon request.
Disciplinary Consequences
Unexcused absences, tardiness, and early departures will result in disciplinary sanctions as described
in the District’s Code of Conduct. Consequences may include, but are not limited to, in-school
suspension, detention, and denial of participation in interscholastic and extracurricular activities, and
possible loss of credit. Parents/Guardians will be notified by designated District personnel at periodic
intervals to discuss their child’s absences, tardiness, or early departures, and the importance of class
attendance and appropriate intervention.
Tardiness Policy
Tardiness must be recognized for what it is, a serious interruption to the academic atmosphere within
the class. After each infraction of tardiness, definite disciplinary action will be taken. If the problem
persists, administration will be involved in punitive measures, ranging from assignment of detention
up to and including out-of-school suspension. It is also recognized that there are a few legitimate
excuses for infrequent tardiness such as personal sickness, family emergency or illness, impassible
roads and mandated attendance at clinics and court. Examples of unacceptable excuses for tardiness
are missing the bus, oversleeping, etc.
Any time a student is absent, tardy or departs early from school, the parent/guardian must submit a
signed, written reason for the absence/tardiness/early dismissal, specifying the date(s) and time, to
the school district within five (5) days of returning to school. While parents are encouraged to e-mail
or call in their child’s absence, e-mails and phone calls do not meet this requirement. A signed written
excuse is required upon return to school after an absence or tardiness or prior to an early release.
a.)
Tardiness to school procedures – student must upon entering the building report to the
attendance office to sign.
1st and 2nd tardy to school – parent notification of the tardiness will be made from the
attendance office.
3rd to 5th tardy to school – The attendance officer will schedule the student for a
detention. In addition, parent notification of the tardiness will be made from the attendance
office.
6th to 8th tardy to school – The attendance officer will schedule the student for three
detentions. In addition, parent notification of the tardiness will be made from the
attendance office. The student must be brought to school by a parent/guardian for a
conference with the attendance officer.
9th to 11th tardy to school – The attendance officer will schedule the student for 3 days
suspended in-school. In addition, parent notification of the tardiness will be made form the
attendance office. The student must be brought to school by a parent/guardian for a
conference.
12th and consecutive tardy to school – The attendance officer will schedule the student
for 3 days suspended in-school. In addition, parent notification of the tardiness will be
made from the attendance office. The student must be brought to school by a
parent/guardian for a conference and possible petition to family court may be filed.
b. Tardiness to class/study hall procedures
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There is no acceptable excuse for class tardiness. Those students detained by other teachers for
academic purposes (e.g. -- to finish test) must be given a signed pass by the teacher. Parents
may be contacted by teachers regarding their child’s class tardiness.
1st and 2nd late – one teacher’s detention assigned by the teacher.
3rd to 5th late – parent notification and one detention.
6th to 8th late – parents again notified and three detentions.
9th to 11th late – 3 days suspended in-school.
12th and consecutive late – 3 days suspended out-of-school and parent conference and
possible petition to family court.
Note: A student who is more than twenty (20) minutes tardy to class will be construed as being
absent from class unless the student arrives with a legitimate pass signed by an administrator.
c. Class Cutting procedures
It is important for students to be in attendance each and every day. Academic success
depends on student participation and engaging in the lessons of each class. Parents may
be contacted by teachers regarding their child’s class attendance. The consequences are
progressive and generally follow the following guidelines:
1st class cut – parent notification and one detention.
2nd class cut – parent notification, three detentions and student will carry teacher sign-in
sheet for undetermined period of time to assure attendance. Sheet to be returned to the
Guidance Office, by the student involved.
3rd class cut – three days suspended in-school and parent notification.
4th class cut – three days suspended in-school, mandatory parent conference and
possible petition to family court.
Truancy Policy
The Attendance Officer will call the home of the absent student during the day of absence. The home
of the absent student may also be subject to a home visit by the Attendance Officer.
3 detentions will be recommended by the attendance officer after the 1st truancy has been
determined by contact with parent. Parent will be notified of possible suspension on
occurrence of next truancy. Subsequent truancies may result in 3 days suspended inschool
with parental notification. Further occurrences may result in additional days
suspended in-school, a parent conference and possible petition to family court.
Student Health Services
The school nurse is available for any student who feels ill or is injured during the day. A student
should report to his/her classroom and ask permission to see the nurse. No students will be admitted
to the nurse's office without a signed pass.
The school is responsible only for first aid. The Board of Education does not pay any medical or
hospital bill incurred as a result of an accident to the pupil at school. The parent or guardian is
responsible for the payment of such bills.
In case of an accident, no matter how minor, the student should report the accident to the teacher or
coach immediately. In case of severe accidents or acute illness, emergency care will be given; and
the parents/guardians will be notified.
It is the responsibility of the parent to provide transportation and further care of the student if the
student becomes ill or injured on school property.
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Students returning to school after recovering from a communicable disease must be readmitted
through the school nurse's office. Communicable diseases include: German measles, measles,
mumps, chicken pox, scarlet fever, conjunctivitis (pink eye), and mononucleosis, etc. A statement
from the student’s attending physician must be provided for re-admittance to be finalized.
Procedures for School Code of Conduct and Discipline
Each student is expected to be responsible for his or her own behavior. The District Code of Conduct,
which focuses on personal safety and respect for the rights and property of others, applies at all times
in the classroom, on school grounds, at all school-sponsored activities, and on school buses. Students
who fail to meet these standards will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action. This student
handbook serves as a guide to address student attendance, academic, and discipline issues. Should a
situation arise that is not specifically identified in this student handbook, the principal will use district
resources and discretion to address the situation.
Definitions
“Disruptive incident” involves disruption of the educational process or substantial interference with the
teacher’s authority over the classroom.
“School property” means in or within any building, structure, athletic playing field, playground,
parking lot or land contained within the real property boundary line of a public elementary or
secondary school, or in or on a school bus, as defined in Vehicle and Traffic Law §142.
“School function” means any school-sponsored extracurricular event or activity on or off school
grounds.
“Violent incident” involves:
1. act of violence upon a school employee, or attempts to do so.
2. any act of violence, while on school property or at a school function, upon another student or
any other person lawfully on school property or at the school function, or attempts to do so.
3. possessing, while on school property or at a school function, a weapon.
4. displaying, while on school property or at a school function, what appears to be a weapon.
5. threatening, while on school property or at a school function, to use a weapon.
6. knowingly and intentionally damaging or destroying the personal property of any school
employee or any person lawfully on school property or at a school function.
7. knowingly and intentionally damaging or destroying school district property.
Disciplinary action, when necessary, will be handled case by case and will be appropriate to the
seriousness of the offense in order to most effectively change undesirable behavior and the attitudes
that bring about this behavior, and to ensure personal safety and respect for the property and rights
of others. The maintenance of a proper and productive school atmosphere is dependent upon the
cooperative and supportive efforts of administration, faculty, students and most importantly, parents.
Students who have or are suspected of having a disability shall be reviewed by the Committee on
Special Education (CSE) if they are referred for a Superintendent’s hearing or are suspended (inschool
or out-of-school) over six (6) days in a school year in accordance with the District’s short
and/or long-term Discipline Procedures for students with disabilities.
The following is a listing of major infractions of the Code of Conduct and a description of the range of
possible accompanying disciplinary action:
A. Physical conflicts -- Students are mature, responsible individuals who are expected to develop
social skills that enable them to avoid physical conflicts. A student must seek the assistance
of a teacher or administrator at the first sign of a potential physical conflict. A student
who fails to do so and instead chooses to retaliate in a physical manner will be subject to the same
disciplinary action as the initiator of the physical conflict. All students who participate in a physical
conflict will be subject to discipline action including suspension. It is expected that a parent
conference with the principal will occur. Subsequent offenses may result in progressively severe
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disciplinary action.
1st Physical Conflict: 5 days suspended out-of-school, parent conference & mandated
student mediation session with counselor or social worker.
2nd Physical Conflict: 5 days suspended out-of-school, Superintendents Hearing, mandated
student mediation session with counselor or social worker and possible
notification to local police with possible criminal prosecution.
Philosophy
It is the High School's responsibility to protect and foster student health and welfare; to educate
and nurture students to become responsible and mature, in realizing their full potential. To
accomplish this, the High School's primary alcohol, drug and tobacco goal is to assist students to
make personal decisions to abstain from the use of alcohol, tobacco and other mind-altering
chemicals. The abuse of these chemicals inhibits the school from carrying out its central mission of
education.
Services
1. School education programs are directed at: sound information; the relationship of mindmood
altering substances to other health-comprising behavior, including AIDS, teen
pregnancy, eating disorders, child abuse, suicide and school drop out; promoting healthy
life styles, positive self concepts, and stress reduction through non-chemical means.
2. Confidential student assistance services are provided within the High School. Any student in
need of guidance for her/his own problematic use, a family member, friend etc. will be
provided professional and confidential assistance. This may include assessments,
counseling, referral to community treatment programs, in school support and advocacy.
Violations of District policy regarding alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs will not be
tolerated and will subject the offending student to severe discipline and possible criminal
prosecution.
B. Alcohol, tobacco, and other chemical substances -- The district recognizes that alcohol, tobacco,
and other chemical substances present a significant threat to the health of our students, staff and
visitors. New York State and Federal laws prohibit the use of these products by anyone (students,
staff, and visitors) on school property. Tobacco products are defined by the district policy as any
lighted or unlighted cigarette, cigar, pipe, bidi, or any other smoking product/paraphernalia, also
including smokeless tobacco (chew, dip, and/or snuff) in any form. Accordingly, no person shall
possess, use, transmit, distribute or sell any substance on school premises, in any district vehicle
including buses, during any school event on or off district property including but not limited to
sporting events, field trips or club activities. Use of these products is also prohibited in any vehicle,
public or private, parked or driving on school property or at any school-sponsored event.
Lackawanna High School is a tobacco free school with signs posted. No one is permitted to wear
clothing or apparel that promotes the use of these products including items with company logos. All
promotional items with any type of substance use identifiers or logos are prohibited. If a student is
found in possession of or using any of these products, then the product will be immediately
confiscated by school personnel. Failure to relinquish the offending substance will result in
disciplinary measures. Any students found using these products will face disciplinary measures that
may include detention, in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension or more severe disciplinary
action. As outlined in the district policy, school based intervention services shall be made available
to all students by prevention professionals. According to State and Federal laws all substance
related policies are in effect at all times.
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C. Possession of firearms, explosives, chemical sprays -- The possession of firearms, explosives or
chemical sprays on school premises, during school sponsored activities, or on school buses
presents a direct and immediate threat to the health and safety of students, faculty, staff and
school visitors and will not be tolerated. Any student in possession of firearms, explosives, or
chemical sprays on school premises or at school sponsored activities will be subject to immediate
disciplinary action, which may include permanent suspension and will include full prosecution under
the law. Any student bringing a gun to school is subject to immediate disciplinary action pursuant
to District policy and federal law, including a suspension of at least one year subject to modification
by the Superintendent or federal and state law. The School District may, when the situation
warrants it, request a psychiatric evaluation at district expense.
D. Assault and battery -- The District's responsibility to protect and promote the educational
environment and the health and safety of students and staff requires that the District deal swiftly
and effectively with any threats, harassment or attempts to assault a student or staff member.
Accordingly, menacing, harassing, or attempting to assault a student or staff member may result in
immediate suspension from school attendance and/or full prosecution under the law. Continued
offenses may result in more severe disciplinary action. The School District may, when the situation
warrants it, request a psychiatric evaluation at district expense.
E. Threatening teachers, administrators, staff members and students – The District will not tolerate
threats directed against school employees or students, as such threats harm both the educational
environment and the health and safety of school employees. Therefore, any student threatening
to injure or kill a school employee is subject to in-school suspension, immediate suspension from
school attendance, full prosecution under the law, and/or permanent suspension from school
attendance. The School District may, when the situation warrants it, request a psychiatric
evaluation at district expense, before returning to school.
F. Possession of a weapon or incendiary device -- The possession of any weapon or incendiary device
other than firearms or explosives (including knives, firecrackers, smoke bombs, scent bombs,
chemical sprays etc.) or any action or representation, real or contrived, or possession of a weapon
that could endanger the safety of students or staff will subject the offending student to immediate
discipline, which may include in-school suspension, suspension from school attendance, an
expected parent(s) conference, an evaluation when the student returns to school, and full
prosecution under the law. Subsequent offenses may subject the student to more severe
disciplinary action, including permanent suspension. The School District may, when the situation
warrants it, request a psychiatric evaluation at district expense.
G. School (classroom, corridor, etc.) misconduct -- Any student disrupting a school program may be
subject to progressive disciplinary action including detention and/or an expected parent(s)
conference, and/or be required to carry and complete a Student Accountability Sheet. Failure to
correct such behavior may result in progressive disciplinary action including suspension in-school
and/or suspension out-of-school.
H. Chronic disciplinary problems -- Any student who chronically violates the Code of Conduct may be
subject to a formal principal's hearing involving the student, parents, principal, assistant principal,
social worker and other counselors. Continued disciplinary problems may result in student removal
from school and an expected parent(s) conference for each offense before the student may return
to regular classes, or other progressive disciplinary action.
I. Stealing and vandalism -- Students are expected to respect school district property and the property
of other students, faculty, staff, and school visitors. Stealing and vandalism may accordingly result
in severe disciplinary action, including suspension in-school, suspension out-of-school, an expected
parent conference, full prosecution under the law, and/or permanent suspension from regular
school attendance. In cases of vandalism, students will be required to clean designated areas of
the school after school hours; i.e., a set of desks if a desk is written on, etc.
J. Prohibited Student Conduct -- The board of education expects all students to conduct themselves
in an appropriate and civil manner, with proper regard for the rights and welfare of other students,
district personnel and other members of the school community, and for the care of school facilities
and equipment.
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The best discipline is self-imposed, and students must learn to assume and accept responsibility
for their own behavior, as well as the consequences of their misbehavior. District personnel who
interact with students are expected to use disciplinary action only when necessary and to place
emphasis on the students’ ability to grow in self-discipline.
The board recognizes the need to make its expectations for student conduct while on school
property or engaged in a school function specific and clear.
The rules of conduct listed below are intended to do that and focus on safety and respect for the
rights and property of others. Students who will not accept responsibility for their own behavior
and who violate these school rules will be required to accept the consequences of their conduct.
Students may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including suspension out-of-school or a
Superintendent’s Hearing, when they:
Ja) Engage in conduct that is disorderly. Examples of disorderly conduct include:
1. Running in hallways.
2. Making unreasonable noise.
3. Using language or gestures that are profane, lewd, vulgar or abusive.
4. Obstructing vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
5. Engaging in any willful act which disrupts the normal operation of the school community.
6. Trespassing. Students are not permitted in any school building, other than the one they
regularly attend, without permission from the administrator in charge of the building.
7. Computer/electronic communications misuse, including any unauthorized use of
computers, software, or internet/intranet account; accessing inappropriate websites; or
any other violation of the district’s acceptable use policy.
Jb) Engage in conduct that is insubordinate. Examples of insubordinate conduct include:
1. Failing to comply with the reasonable directions of teachers, school administrators or other
school employees in charge of students or otherwise demonstrating disrespect.
2. Lateness for, missing or leaving school without permission.
3. Skipping detention.
Jc) Engage in conduct that is disruptive. Examples of disruptive conduct include:
1. Failing to comply with the reasonable directions of teachers, school administrators or other
school personnel in charge of students.
2. Possessing, wearing, or using distractible items or clothing.
Jd) Engage in conduct that is violent. Examples of violent conduct include:
1. Committing an act of violence (such as hitting, kicking, punching, and scratching) upon
another student or any other person lawfully on school property or attempting to do so.
2. Possessing a weapon. Authorized law enforcement Officials are the only persons
permitted to have a weapon in their possession while on school property or at a school
function.
3. Displaying what appears to be a weapon.
4. Threatening to use any weapon.
5. Intentionally damaging or destroying the personal property of a student, teacher,
administrator, other district employee or any person lawfully on school property, including
graffiti or arson.
6. Intentionally damaging or destroying school district property.
Je) Engage in any conduct that endangers the safety, morals, health or welfare of others.
Examples of such conduct include:
1. Lying to school personnel.
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2. Stealing the property of the school district, students, school personnel or any other person
lawfully on school property attending a school function.
3. Defamation, which includes making false or unprivileged statements or representations
about an individual or identifiable group of individuals that harm the reputation of the
person or the identifiable group by demeaning them.
4. Discrimination, which includes the use of race, color, creed, national origin, religion,
gender, sexual orientation or disability as a basis for treating another in a negative
manner.
5. Harassment, which includes a sufficiently severe action or a persistent, pervasive pattern
of actions or statements directed at an identifiable individual or group which are intended
to be or which a reasonable person would perceive as ridiculing or demeaning.
6. Intimidation, which includes engaging in actions or statements that put an individual in
fear of bodily harm.
7. Hazing, which includes any intentional or reckless act directed against another for the
purpose of initiation into, affiliating with or maintaining membership in any school
sponsored activity, organization, club or team.
8. Selling, using or possessing obscene material.
9. Using vulgar or abusive language, cursing or swearing.
10. Smoking a cigarette, cigar, pipe or using chewing or smokeless tobacco.
11. Possessing, consuming, selling, distributing or exchanging alcoholic beverages or illegal
substances, or being under the influence of either. “Illegal substances include, but are not
limited to, inhalants, marijuana cocaine, LSD, PCP, amphetamines, heroin, steroids, lookalike
drugs, and any substances commonly referred to as “designer drugs.”
12. Inappropriately using or sharing prescription and over-the-counter drugs.
13. Gambling.
14. Indecent exposure, that is, exposure to sight of the private parts of the body in a lewd or
indecent manner.
15. Initiating a report warning of fire or other catastrophe without valid cause, misuse of 911,
or discharging a fire extinguisher.
Jf) Engage in misconduct while on a school bus. It is crucial for students to behave appropriately
while riding on district buses to ensure their safety and that of other passengers and to avoid
distracting the bus driver. Students are required to conduct themselves on the bus in a
manner consistent with established standards for classroom behavior. Excessive noise,
pushing, shoving and fighting will not be tolerated.
Jg) Engage in any form of academic misconduct. Examples of academic misconduct include:
1. Plagiarism.
2. Cheating.
3. Copying.
4. Altering records.
5. Assisting another student in any of the above actions.
K. Cafeteria Conduct
1. When students arrive at the cafeteria, they will go immediately to their tables and be
seated. As soon as the students are seated and quiet, they will be called up to the serving
lines by a teacher supervising the cafeteria.
2. Students must remain seated during the majority of the lunch period. Movement should be
restricted to obtaining food items, lavatory usage and necessary special sales (i.e.,
yearbook, dance tickets, club sales events, etc.). Students will be dismissed on a table-bytable
basis by a teacher supervising the cafeteria.
3. Chronic disruptive activity will result in the student being permanently assigned to a seat
away from the disruption. This seat assignment will be at the discretion of the lunch
monitor or teacher supervising the cafeteria.
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4. Students are required to maintain the cleanliness of the area in which they sit. If the area
is not clean at dismissal from lunch, the students will be asked to help clean the area (i.e.,
pickup papers, cartons, cans, and food items). Students sitting at a given table will be
asked to help if the offending student cannot be determined. Failure to comply will result
in detention or a permanently assigned new seat.
5. Throwing food or other items in the cafeteria threatens the personal safety of other
students, faculty, staff and building visitors, and violates the rights and property of others.
Accordingly, any student throwing food or other items in the cafeteria is subject to
immediate and progressive disciplinary action, including an expected parent conference,
suspension in-school, suspension out-of-school, Superintendent’s hearing and/or legal
action. These possible disciplinary actions are applicable to both the initiator and
subsequent participants. (Students throwing anything in the cafeteria must clean the
cafeteria at the conclusion of the lunch period or may be suspended in-school.)
L. Suspension out-of-school -- When a student is suspended out-of-school, he/she must stay at
home during school hours. Students cannot attend any school functions, activities, or events.
This includes sports, proms, dances, class days, etc. It is expected that the parent or guardian
will request a meeting with the building principal regarding the student’s suspension prior to the
student’s return to school.
M. Insubordination -- Failure to follow a reasonable request of a staff member, teacher, or
administrator will subject the student to disciplinary action, which may include detention,
suspension in-school, or suspension our-of-school.
N. Intervention Room -- When a student is placed for a period or two with a counselor or social
worker in a designated room to be counseled for disciplinary reasons.
O. Teacher Disciplinary Removal of Disruptive Student -- A teacher may remove a substantially
disruptive student from class who substantially interferes with the educational process or the
teacher’s authority over the classroom.
Activities and Privileges
In addition to the range of possible disciplinary actions detailed above, a student may also be
suspended from athletic, social and extra-curricular activities and other privileges as a result of
violation of the Code of Conduct. For those students in the senior year of high school, suspension of
privileges may include suspension from attending senior class activities including but not limited to
class day, the senior prom, class trip, club day and/or graduation ceremony.
Lockers
Each student will be assigned a locker at the beginning of the school year or upon entry to the high
school. Students are advised to make certain that the locker door is locked after each use. To ensure
a secure locker system, no student will be permitted to use a locker other than the one assigned.
Failure to abide by this rule will subject violators to disciplinary action including detention.
THE LOCKER REMAINS THE PROPERTY OF THE SCHOOL AND MAY BE INSPECTED PERIODICALLY.
It is of utmost importance that students refrain from bringing valuables to school. No student should
bring items to an assigned locker or gym locker (ex. Electronics, money, watches, rings, etc.), that
are unnecessary for the school day or gym participation. Students are advised to make certain that
the locker door is locked after each use. The School District Is NOT Responsible For Student's
Personal Property. STUDENTS ARE NOT TO USE LOCKERS DURING CLASS TIME. Sufficient
time is available before attending the student's first period, after 3rd period, the lunch periods, or at
dismissal. Any students found using their lockers at any other time may be placed in detention
whether they have a signed teacher's pass or not. Each student will be responsible for his or her
actions, according to the rules and regulations.
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A locker clean-out will be held on the last day of classes. To prepare for locker clean-out, students are
encouraged to bring all personal belongings home during the last few days of school. In addition,
students’ textbooks, library books, and all school property must be returned to the respective teachers
and locations.
Student Searches and Interrogations
The Board of Education is committed to ensuring an atmosphere on school property and at school
functions that is safe & orderly. To achieve this kind of environment, any school official authorized to
impose a disciplinary penalty on a student may question a student about an alleged violation of law or
the district code of conduct without warning or contacting the student’s parents before questioning the
student. In addition, the principal and assistant principal may conduct searches of students & their
belongings if they have reasonable suspicions that the search will result in evidence that the student
violated the law or the district code of conduct.
Lavatory
The bathroom will be open in the main foyer throughout the school day. Students must
have their agenda book signed to be released from class.
Outside the Building During School Hours
A student leaving the school building without permission constitutes a danger to their health and
safety. Violators may be subject to immediate disciplinary action, including suspension in-school, or
suspension out-of-school, and may also be subject to the class cutting policy (if appropriate).
Respect for Teachers
All teachers and staff are to be respected and obeyed. Students are to obey directives of all
teachers and staff in corridors, cafeteria and all other school areas. This includes directives from
custodians, maintenance workers, cafeteria workers, secretaries, teacher aides and monitors. Failure
to adhere to this procedure will result in the school disciplinary procedure for insubordination.
Detention Policy
Teacher’s Detention – student is expected to report after school to a designated classroom or school
area as assigned by a teacher to discuss or support academics, behavior, attendance, or other items.
Detention – student is expected to report after school to a designated classroom with supervisory
teacher as a result of a disciplinary action.
Teacher’s Detention and Detention supersedes any other after-school activity. Only a principal can
excuse a student from detention. Bus transportation will be provided. Students will leave the building
immediately following release from detention. Any student who fails to report to Teacher’s Detention
may be subject to detention. Any student skipping detention may be subject to additional days of
detention, parent notification, and/or suspension in-school.
Any student assigned detention cannot participate in interscholastic sports or co-curricular activities on
that day.
Student Loitering Policy
No student will be allowed in the building before 7:10 A.M. or before the first bus arrives. Upon
completion of the school day, all students are expected to leave the building immediately. Only those
students who have an authorized activity supervised by an adult may remain. Students are expected
to remain in designated rooms under the supervision of a teacher. Loitering in the halls after school
may subject the violator to immediate placement in detention or possible legal action.
NOTE: There will be no spectators for school practice sessions or intramural programs. No student
will be allowed to wait on school grounds for any student serving detention.
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Student Dress Code/Appropriate Language/Respectful Behavior
Student Dress
All students are expected to give proper attention to maintaining respectful behavior, a positive
attitude, personal cleanliness, and appropriate attire while at school and at school functions. Each
student’s appearance and attire should at all times be neat, clean, and appropriate. A student’s dress
reflects the quality of the school, student conduct, and student’s schoolwork.
Appropriate dress and personal appearance is the responsibility of the parent/guardian and the
student. The student’s appearance should not disrupt or interfere with the educational process,
should not be distractive or pose a safety or health risk to the student or other members of the school
community.
All District personnel including teachers and staff at each school building should exemplify and
reinforce acceptable dress and appearance and help students develop and understanding of
appropriate appearance in the school.
The following guidelines will be observed while at school or at school functions regarding student’s
dress, grooming and appearance, including hair style/color, jewelry, play jewelry and trinkets, makeup
and nails:
1. Any type of head covering should not be worn in the building, except for a medical or
religious purpose, unless authorized by the school. Any garment with a hood must be worn
with the hood down during the school day.
2. All fashions including skirts, dresses, and shorts, should be no more than three inches
above the top of the knee when the student is in a standing position.
3. All articles which advertise, display, represent or suggest items depicting the following
themes are prohibited: alcoholic beverages, tobacco, drugs, weapons, items depicting
abusive, suggestive, vulgar, obscene, violent, controversial, libelous, denigrating to others
on account of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, age, political affiliation, military
status, veteran status, sexual orientation, use of recognized guide dog, hearing dog or
service dog, gender or disability, or gang-related language, images, or symbols.
4. If a student chooses to wear layered fashions, the outer most layer must comply with the
student appearance code.
5. All apparel should be fastened and worn appropriately. Pants, skirts, and shorts must be
worn at the waist level and underwear is completely covered. Pajamas, including tops and
(or) bottoms, are not appropriate for school.
6. Above the waist apparel must cover one’s entire person except the arms and a modest
opening at the neck area with shoulders covered and may not be of transparent materials.
Clothing included, but not limited to, baby T’s, tank tops, halter tops, sleeveless muscle
shirts/t-shirts, or shoulder-less dresses are not appropriate for school.
7. Footwear must be worn at all times unless otherwise authorized. For safety reasons,
footwear that poses a hazard including open-back footwear such as sandals, flip-flops,
slippers, clogs or any other such open-back footwear are not to be worn in school.
8. Outdoor clothing and jackets are not to be worn during the school day.
Each Building Principal/designee shall be responsible for informing all students and their parents of the
student dress code at the beginning of the school year and any revisions to the dress code made
during the school year.
Students who violate the student dress code shall be required to modify their appearance by covering
or removing the offending item and, if necessary or practical, replacing it with an acceptable item.
Any student who refuses to do so shall be subject to disciplinary action. Any student who repeatedly
fails to comply with the dress code shall be subject to more severe disciplinary measures.
Appropriate Language
All students are expected to use appropriate and respectful language while on school property and
when attending school functions. Language must not be profane, obscene, offensive, or vulgar.
Language must not denigrate others on account of race, age, political affiliation, military status,
veteran status, sexual orientation, use of a recognized guide dog, hearing dog or service dog, color,
religion, creed, national origin, gender, or disability and must demonstrate respect for self and others
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at all times.
Respectful Behavior
Students are expected to behave with dignity and treat their peers, teachers and school staff with
respect and courtesy. Individual behavior should not interfere with the rights of others. Obscene
gestures will not be tolerated.
Electronic Communication Devices
Students are prohibited from using or having on or in an operational mode any paging device, mobile
telephone, cellular telephone, laser pointer or pen or any other type of telecommunications or imaging
device during school hours. Students are prohibited from using these devices in any manner which
invades the privacy of students, employees, volunteers or visitors. If a student violates this
prohibition, then he/she is subject to discipline under this provision and/or any other provision in the
Lackawanna Code of Conduct that may be applicable to the circumstances involved.
Teachers and all other School District personnel should exemplify and reinforce acceptable student
dress and behavior (including appropriate use of electronic communication devices) and help students
develop an understanding of appropriate appearance and conduct in the school setting.
School District Property:
Textbooks, library books, AIS books, sporting equipment, etc. used by the student belong to the
school district and must be kept in good condition.
Each student's books are numbered before issue. The student must pay for lost or damaged school
district property. Teachers or coaches will make periodic checks. Should a student sign out of the
high school to leave the school or district, all school district property must be returned before
completing the sign-out process.
Failure to return school district property including overdue library books or pay for lost or stolen books
will result in the district withholding the student's report card and other school records.
Personal Property:
Radios, skateboard, sunglasses, hackey sacks (foot bags), dice, and other distractible items should not
be brought to school. Students are not allowed to bring any of these items to school or in the
classroom. These items will be confiscated by a teacher or administrator. Any student in possession
of any of these items may be given disciplinary measures at the discretion of an administrator and
have the distractible item confiscated. Students will hand over them item immediately so that it may
be delivered to the Principal's Office until a parent visits the school and removes the items from the
school premises. The school and the school district are not responsible lost, stolen, or damaged
items; this includes items that are confiscated.
Electronic Devices: Electronic devices such as cell phones, pagers, beepers, laser beams,
radios, mp3 players and other distractible items
Cell phones, pages, beepers, laser beams, radios, mp3 players, and other distractible items should not
be brought to school. Students are not allowed to bring any of these items to school or in the
classroom. These items will be confiscated by a teacher or administrator. Any student in possession
of any of these items may be given disciplinary measures at the discretion of an administrator and
have the distractible item confiscated. Students will hand over them item immediately so that it may
be delivered to the Principal's Office until a parent visits the school and removes the items from the
school premises. The school and the school district are not responsible lost, stolen, or damaged
items; this includes items that are confiscated.
Marking of Desks
Desks are cleaned each summer. Any student marking a desk may be subject to school disciplinary
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procedures and parental conference. Also, the student may be responsible for cleaning the desk that
has been marked. When anyone "willfully, maliciously, or unlawfully damages or destroys real or
personal property owned or maintained by the school district," the district can bring suit in civil court
to recover damages from the parent or guardian. The District shall in all cases, continue to prosecute
to the fullest extent of the law.
Student Office Helpers
Student Office Helpers for the various offices provides students with opportunities for real life
experience working in an office setting and assisting as needed. Student Office Helpers must wear
identification for any hall travel requested by their immediate office supervisor. Student Office
Helpers maintain this role so long as they are in good standing with their academics, behavior and
attendance. Student Office Helpers are only available to assist during a study hall or lunch period. All
student office helpers must be approved for service by an administrator. Only one monitor is
recommended per station per supervised period.
Main Corridors
No standing around or loitering in the main corridors (by auditorium, AIS, or Room 113). These must
be kept free. Detention will be given to offenders.
Assemblies
We at Lackawanna High School expect all of our students to be on their best behavior in the hallways,
auditorium and gymnasium. In the Auditorium, students are expected to act like a Lady or Gentleman
would act in a theater or a show. When attending an assembly in the gymnasium, such as a Pep
Assembly, students are expected to act accordingly. Any students removed from an assembly
program will be given a 500-word composition on "Proper Assembly Behavior" and will be given daily
detention until it is satisfactorily completed. Any student removed from an assembly for behavior
problems may not be permitted to attend future assemblies for the duration of the school year.
Students who are removed from an assembly or have lost the privilege to attend assemblies will
report to designated area during the assembly programs.
Use of Inhalers in School
The School District permits students who have been diagnosed by a physician as having a severe
asthmatic condition to carry and use a prescribed inhaler during the school day. Prior to permitting
such use, the school health office must receive the written permission of the prescribing physician,
and parental consent, based on such physician’s determination that the student is subject to sudden
asthmatic attacks severe enough to debilitate that student.
A record of such physician/parental permission shall be maintained in the school health office.
Students not following this policy will be subject to disciplinary action.
Missing an Examination
If a student misses a midterm or a final examination (non-regents), the student will receive a zero for
that examination unless a legal excuse is produced from a medical doctor, a medical clinic, or a court
judge. If the excuse is acceptable, the student will have to take a makeup examination from his/her
particular teacher. Regents examinations cannot be made up. Regents examinations will have to be
taken in the next examination period (January, June, or August),
Alternate School Program (ASP)
1. The goal of the Alternate School Program (ASP) is to reduce the disciplinary problems in the High
School; thereby, improving the educational environment of the school. ASP is also intended to give
students placed on this program the necessary assistance to modify their behavior in order that
they may become a positive contributor to the Lackawanna High School as well as the community.
2. a. Upon entry into ASP students will be required to write a statement outlining the reasons for their
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eing placed in ASP.
b. Students will also be required to state in this report how they plan to modify their behavior to
avoid being placed in ASP.
3. RULES OF CONDUCT
a. Upon arriving at school, students will report directly to ASP. Students are required to bring
pencils, pens, as well as all the textbooks & workbooks that they have been issued by their
teachers.
b. Students are not to report to their Period 1 class nor are they permitted to loiter in the halls.
Students arriving late, without a valid reason, may be assigned additional time in ASP.
c. Absence from school does not count as a day served in ASP. Students who are absent are
required to bring an excuse from their parents upon their return to school and ASP.
d. There is no free time when assigned to ASP. Students will be required to do school work or a
positive educational activity at all times. Schoolwork will be returned to the assigning teacher
when completed. Inappropriate use of the computer will result in additional time and revoking
of computer use privilege.
e. No talking, no passing of any item or any form of communication between students is
permitted in ASP.
f. No sleeping is permitted in ASP. Coats or jackets will not be worn in ASP.
g. Students must sit in assigned seats at all times and may not leave their seats unless they
raise their hands and are acknowledged by the supervising teacher.
h. Writing on desks, documents or handouts, or defacing school property is not permitted.
i. Students are required to clean the immediate area where they were sitting. There will be no
papers or debris left behind at the end of the school day.
j. Students will be released from ASP only once per day to visit the lavatory. Students violating
the code of conduct while visiting the lavatory may be subject to additional consequences in
conjunction with additional time in ASP.
k. Students assigned to ASP may serve at least one full day. Students may be released to
regular classes prior to the expiration to their ASP assignment if they fully comply with the
rules. If a student, who has been released, is placed in ASP at a later date, the day(s) that
were forgiven may be added to that student's new time in ASP.
l. Students will eat their lunch in ASP and will be responsible for cleaning their desk area after
eating. Students may bring their own lunch (glass containers are prohibited) or they may
purchase lunch. There will be no other food or drink consumption during the day.
m. Students assigned to ASP may not participate in any extra curricular activities until they are
released to regular classes. This includes any school functions, activities, or events. (See
suspension section.) Detention is NOT an extracurricular activity; therefore, it must be
attended if assigned.
n. Unauthorized leaving of the ASP room may result in a three-day suspension as well as
additional days added to their original assignment in ASP.
o. If a student is insubordinate while in ASP, i.e., fighting, truancy, refusing to cooperate, is
disrespectful, etc., the building administrator, ASP supervisor and parents of the student will
confer to determine the disposition of the student. The same procedure will be followed if the
student is not progressing through the program satisfactorily or is continually assigned to ASP.
Assignment to ASP is considered to be a serious matter and continued antisocial behavior may
lead to the initiation of actions to remove the student from the school for the remainder of the
school year.
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p. Any student violating any of these rules may be assigned detention, additional time in ASP, or
both.
q. Students placed in ASP three (3) times for the same offense may be required to attend a
parent conference that may also include an administrator, ASP. supervisor and school
counselor as well as a social worker or any support service person considered necessary.
Subsequent placements in ASP may result in a parent conference to discuss future disciplinary
action.
If the student was given out-of-school suspension while in ASP, he/she must finish the days
assigned ASP when he/she returns to school.
School Safety Procedures
SHELTER IN PLACE
For Weather Emergency, Special Alerts –
Remain in Building, Stay in Exact Location
When you hear a ―SHELTER IN PLACE IS IN EFFECT – ALL STUDENTS REPORT TO THEIR
CLASSROOM‖ public address announcement:
1. All students and teachers should remain in their current classroom or nearest classroom.
2. Teacher takes attendance, emailing any missing or additional students to the Attendance Clerk.
3. All free teaching staff, Custodians/Maintenance and Administrators should check hallways and
restrooms.
4. Teachers will continue with lessons, all students should remain in place until a school
administrator or other official releases you from the room.
Fire Drills
It is important that all students familiarize themselves with Fire Drill instructions posted in all
instructional areas. A student who is guilty of misconduct during a fire drill will be subject to
disciplinary action.
During a fire drill students are required to do the following:
1. Exit the area you are in a rapid but controlled fashion. (Speed of movement is essential
during a fire.)
2. In a single file, move to the designated exit from the building. (This will prevent crowding at
the doors, which is a major cause of death in a real fire.)
3. Remain silent throughout the fire drill procedure. (Being able to hear directives during
movement may save a life if there is a danger in the area to which you are moving.)
4. Upon exiting the building, keep moving away from the building. (This insures that everyone
can get out while at the same time insuring that everyone is as far away from the fire source
as possible.)
Fire Alarms/Bomb Threats
Any student pulling a fire alarm or calling in a bomb threat under false pretenses will be prosecuted
fully under the law. A bomb threat, even if later determined to be a hoax, is a criminal act. The
student will be arrested by the appropriate federal, state, county, and/or local law enforcement
agencies.
Bus Procedures
BUS PASSES: Bus passes will be issued to all students eligible for transportation to and from the
school. Students must have these passes in their possession every school day. The
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PRINCIPAL HAS THE AUTHORITY TO SUSPEND THE TRANSPORTATION PRIVILEGES OF CHILDREN
WHO ARE DISORDERLY AND INSUBORDINATE ON SCHOOL BUSES. ALSO, STUDENTS ARE SUBJECT
TO SUSPENSION AND SUPERINTENDENT'S HEARING IN CASES WHERE BUS CONDUCT RULES ARE
VIOLATED. (SMOKING IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED ON SCHOOL BUSES -- VIOLATORS MAY BE
SUSPENDED IN-SCHOOL AND HAVE THEIR BUS PASSES SUSPENDED OR REVOKED).
Students disembarking their bus, must enter the school directly and immediately (cannot leave school
grounds). Students who are departing the school by bus (regular or activity) must go directly and
immediately to their bus. Any students violating this procedure may be subject to the following
penalties:
1st Offense: 3 days detention and parent notification.
2nd Offense: Loss of bus privilege.
Students losing their bus passes must have their Period 2 teacher send a slip to the Assistant Principal
with the student's name, address and bus number. A parent or guardian must call the Assistant
Principal to explain what happened to the bus pass. There is a $6.00 charge for issuing additional bus
passes which must be submitted at the time of receiving the bus pass.
Student Grievance Procedure
Should a teacher, principal or staff member issue a directive that the student judges unfair, the
student is obligated to follow the directive before seeking the next higher authority. A listing is as
follows:
Step 1 - Parent
Step 2 - Teacher or School Counselors
Step 3 - Assistant Principal
Step 4 - Principal
Step 5 - School Superintendent
Step 6 - Board of Education
Step 7 - Court of Law
NOTE: The student is obligated to follow any such directive however, with the exception of
any directive that may cause the student immediate physical harm. At the first convenient
opportunity, the complaint should be taken to the person in next higher authority and so on
until the complaint is resolved. Ex: If the complaint is regarding a teacher - go see the
Assistant Principal.
Student Transportation
STUDENT PARKING AND DRIVING IS NOT RECOMMENDED
A. If student parking is available, it will be limited to seniors who are not provided bus transportation
to school or who are employed after school hours. If there is a high demand for student parking,
a lottery system will be used for selection of students. All seniors who qualify must register their
cars with their Assistant Principal. Students will be given a student-parking tag which will be
returned at the end of the school year. The parking tag must be displayed in the vehicle to
maintain student parking privilege. All student cars not registered or without parking tags may be
towed at the owner's expense.
B. Student parking is confined to the last row in the rear parking lot.
C. The speed limit on school grounds is 10 mph. Failure to adhere to speed limit may result in loss
of parking privilege.
D. All students should lock their car before entering school. You are parking your car at your own
risk.
E. Loitering in parked cars prior to school, during school, and after school is not permitted. Those
who need to go to their cars for textbooks, etc. must secure permission from the main office.
F. BOCES students are not permitted to drive their cars to BOCES.
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G. Violation of any of the above rules may result in loss of parking privileges, detention, suspension
in-school, or possible suspension out-of-school.
H. There are no full-time parking lot monitors. The school and school district are not responsible for
theft or vandalism of vehicles.
BOCES Students
No BOCES students will be permitted to use his privately owned vehicle to drive to the Potter Road
School (3 day suspended in-school offense). Our students must take the bus transportation provided
for them. Upon returning to Lackawanna High School from BOCES, students will immediately enter
the building from the bus and go to their designated Period 2. BOCES students must enter and exit
from the U-Drive Main Entrance only.
Any BOCES students leaving Lackawanna High School for BOCES will get their belongings and proceed
directly to the double doors near the Principal's Office to exit for the bus.
BOCES students must be present at BOCES when they are present at Lackawanna High School and
also present at Lackawanna High School when they are in attendance at BOCES that day. A student
must be excused by Lackawanna High School to be present in one and not the other. Any students
not following these rules may be subject to a parent conference and possibly dropped from the BOCES
program. Also, any BOCES student may be taken out of the program for multiple absences.
Visitors
School policy is to accept only those visitors who have legitimate business to attend to at our school.
Visitors will be stopped at the Attendance Office by the front desk and their visit will be substantiated
by walkie-talkie. If your visit is legitimate, you will sign in and be escorted to your destination.
Parents are always welcome to visit. All visitors, including parents, must sign in with security or
attendance upon entering the building. It is best to call ahead for to schedule an appointment with an
administrator, teacher, or counselor with whom you want to meet. If an appointment is not
scheduled, parents may be asked to wait for an extended period of time until the administrator,
teacher, or counselor is available. Under no circumstances will an unscheduled conference take
precedence over the job responsibilities of our employees.
It is expected that appointments that cannot be kept will be cancelled via a phone call to the central
office (827-6727) or directly to the office of the individual involved in the meeting. (See Important
Phone Numbers at the High School section for the appropriate number.)
Students are not allowed to bring babies and/or children to school during the school day, the extended
day, and/or during formal or informal examination periods in January or June.
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Visitors Parking
MARTIN RD.
VISITORS RSVD
HC
HC
RSVD
VISITORS
OPEN ENTRANCE
TO THE SCHOOL
Cafeteria Policy
1. Students who were eligible for the Free and Reduced Price Meal last school year are eligible to
receive the same type of free or reduced meal for September only.
2. A new application must be filled out and signed or a Direct Certification Letter from Social
Services must be handed in by the second week in September in order to continue
receiving free or reduced meals for the new school year. Contact the cafeteria staff at 827-
6727 ext. 6 for more information.
3. Starting October, if NO new application is signed and filed, all meals will have to be purchased.
Cafeteria staff keeps a record of each student’s free and reduced meal status.
4. You may apply for the Free and Reduced Price Meal at any time during the school year. You
may pick up an application from the principal’s office or the cafeteria staff.
5. There is a Pre-Payment Policy for students who are eligible for the Free and Reduced Price
Meal. Money is paid to the cashier at point of service to be put on student account for weekly
or monthly payments. There is NO Pre-Payment policy for ala-carte items.
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6. The price for a reduced meal is $.25. Full purchase price for breakfast is $.75 and for lunch is
$1.50.
7. ONLY an eligible student is entitled to eat one (1) breakfast and/or one (1) lunch per day at
the FREE or REDUCED price indicated on their application.
8. Additional meals, if the eligible student desires such, must be purchased at full price.
Cafeteria Procedures
1. Eligible students not adhering to Free and Reduced Price Meal procedures may receive
detention, suspension in-school, suspension out-of-school, and/or parent contact.
2. Students letting someone else use their free or reduced meals then both students may receive
three days suspended in-school..
Study Halls
A. Study Halls are to be used as study periods, not recreation periods. (Playing cards, listening
to an Ipod or any device, using your cell phone and sleeping are prohibited).
B. Students must carry books to these rooms and complete their class assignments.
C. Interference with other students’ efforts to study will not be tolerated.
D. Students with no work to do will be assigned work by the teacher.
E. Students may request academic assistance from their teachers.
F. Students may request to go to Library or have a signed pass to go to the Academic Center.
Study Skills
Since education is an activity in which one not only learns material but also learns how to learn, all
students are encouraged to develop efficient and productive study skills.
A student with good study skills:
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1. brings notebook, paper, pen or pencil and other materials necessary to class
2. is an active participant in the classroom; listens well; takes part in discussion;
3. asks questions if he doesn't understand the discussion or if he has a problem
4. plans his work and schedules time for homework each day; makes sure he understands the
assignments before he leaves class
5. uses what he learns; sees how each subject applies to others
6. strives to do his best, not just get by
The following aspects of how people learn need to be taken into consideration in designing a
successful study method:
PLANNING: Have a definite, well-lighted, quiet place to study, away from distractions and with all
necessary materials available.
ATTITUDE: Think positively; work independently. Seek help only when you have exhausted your
own resources; then ask questions. Use library resources.
PROCEDURE: Be certain that you understand the assignment when the teacher gives it and make
sure you write it down in an assignment pad which you should have with you at all times.
Read the entire assignment rapidly to grasp the basic content. Reread slowly to understand content,
details, explanations, and directions. Then read it again more carefully, seeking additional content,
make notes of your own; outline what you have learned.
Close the book and from memory, outline the material and ideas contained in the assignment. Try to
anticipate the questions that the teacher may ask. Try to master the material well enough to explain
it to someone else.

If the assignment is a long-term project, do a little of it each day; don't let it go until the last minute.
It will be easier and you'll do a better job.
Library Passes
Students must have a signed pass from a teacher, with the approval from the librarian, to be able to
go to the library.
Assemblies
Various assemblies are held throughout the year. Whatever the purpose, students are expected to be
polite and attentive, and to remain seated at all times throughout the entire program. Leaving the
auditorium or gym will not be permitted (unless excused by a supervising teacher). Talking, chewing
gum, eating, crawling over seats and sitting inappropriately are not acceptable behaviors. Students
may be removed from the assembly for failure to conduct themselves appropriately. Any student
removed from an assembly program will be assigned a 500-word composition on "Proper Assembly
Behavior" and will be given daily detention until it is completed. Any student removed from an
assembly for behavior problems may be withheld from future assemblies for the duration of the school
year.
Students will be invited to the auditorium or gym by class to take their assigned seats. Class or
Period 1 teachers will be notified as to correct seat assignments.
All assemblies should be a positive experience for both the audience and the presenter(s).
Conduct at Athletic Events
Students are expected to exhibit proper behavior at both home and away games. This includes no
fighting, no booing or heckling, no throwing or dropping of refuse and no loitering in the immediate
area before or after a game or contest. School policy prohibiting the use or possession of drugs and
alcohol applies at all athletic events and school sponsored activities in which the school in involved,
regardless of the site. No students are allowed at athletic events or extracurricular activities if they
are suspended in-school or suspended out-of-school.
Interscholastic Sports and Extracurricular Activities
Eligibility Requirements for Student Participation in Sports and Activities
1. Determining Minimum Course Credit requirements: The first test for eligibility is to
determine if a particular student has earned the minimum number of course credits prior to
the beginning of a cohort year.
a. The Guidance Department shall provide a list of all students (sorted by
cohort year) who fail to meet the minimum standard for eligibility to the
building principal and athletic director on or before August 15 th annually.
Cohort Year
Cohort Year 1 (Freshman)
Cohort Year 2 (Sophomore)
Cohort Year 3 (Junior)
Cohort Year 4 (Senior)
0 credits
4.5 credits
10.5 credits
16 credits
Minimum Credits
(This minimum credit policy will affect those students entering LHS beginning with the 2010 cohort.)
b. The building principal shall make course credit determinations on all transfer
students.
c. All students failing to meet minimum course requirements will be determined
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ineligible for that school year. The building principal (or designee) will issue a letter to
all parents of ineligible students.
d. Students and/or their parent/guardian can request a formal hearing with the
building principal to explain determinations of course credit.
2. Determining Course Failures: the second test for eligibility is to determine if a student has
met the minimum standard for passing courses in each 5-week benchmark during the school year.
a. At the end of each five-week period, a list will be generated by the Guidance
Department identifying any student failing two or more courses.
** Twenty-week Courses - At the 20 week checkpoint, the grade determination
will be the student’s final overall grade.
b. The beginning of the probation period will commence when the official list
is disseminated by the Guidance Department. These students will be
declared ineligible to participate in games or contests for a minimum of one
week. The period of ineligibility will continue weekly until the next grade
determination checkpoint.
c. Such students will be placed into an Academic Recovery Program.
3. Notification of Status/Initiating Academic Recovery Programs
Participants in Interscholastic Athletics:
a. The Administrator and the student’s counselor will meet with the student to
inform them of their status as ineligible, explain the terms of that status, and the
procedures the student will need to follow to again become eligible.
b. The Administrator will distribute the names of student declared ineligible to all
affected coaches.
c. The counselor will notify the child’s parent/guardian to inform him/her of the
student’s ineligible status. A follow-up letter will be sent summarizing the terms of
ineligibility and necessary steps to regain eligible status.
d. The Guidance Department will forward a comprehensive list of all ineligible students
weekly to the Administrator at each 5-week checkpoint.
Participants in Co-Curricular Clubs & Activities:
a. A list of ineligible students will be distributed to all club/activity advisors.
b. All advisors will notify via email the appropriate counselor and administrator.
c. The Administrator and the student’s counselor will meet with the student to inform
them of their ineligibility, explain the terms of that status, and the procedures the
student will need to follow to become eligible.
4. Academic Recovery Program/Monitoring Academic Progress
1. All ineligible students will report daily after school to the Academic Recovery Program.
Students must be on time and present for the entire session.
2. Other faculty members may pull a student from the Academic Recovery Program to provide
other recognized classroom support by signing the student’s agenda pass to be shown to the
staff member present during the Recovery Program.
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.
3. Students will work with building staff members to complete a Student Accountability Sheet
each week.
a. The student will obtain the form from the Academic Recovery Program
personnel on the first day of the week. The form will be used to collect
information from support providers and the student’s teachers regarding their
participation and progress.
b. Students need to receive daily signatures from Academic Recovery Program
or other staff member that provided the day’s extra support. The staff
member will provide information regarding student’s attendance and participation.
c. At the conclusion of the support session, the staff member should provide the
student a signed pass that can be presented to the coach allowing the student to
begin practice. A coach will not allow any student to practice unless he or she can
present a signed pass for that day’s session.
d. At the end of the recovery week, the student should have each of his or her
teachers indicate if the student is failing or passing at that time and apply their
signature. If the teacher is absent or not available, the student should indicate that in
his or her form.
5. Reviewing Student Eligibility Status
An Administrator will review the completed Student Accountability Sheet for each
ineligible student and verify each student’s academic progress.
1. The student should return a copy of the completed form to the assistant principal or
designee.
2. A student may be declared eligible and reinstated for full participation if:
a. the student successfully completes all necessary after school sessions that
week.
b. the student has failing grades in no more than one of his or her classes.
3. Upon reinstatement the student will:
a. be removed from the Academic Recovery Program, but must continue to
submit a competed Student Accountability Sheet to the Administrator.
b. become ineligible, if in any week, two or more classes appear as failures,
the student must re-enter the initial phase of ineligibility.
4. A student may remain ineligible for full participation if:
a. the student does not successfully complete or make up all necessary after
school sessions that week.
b. the student has failing grades in two or more of his/her classes.
c. the students does not complete the Student Accountability Sheet by the
close of school on Monday of the recovery week.
Transfer Students
Any students who transfers into Lackawanna High School must meet the requirements of our
Interscholastic Sports and Extra-Curricular Activities Policy in order to participate in these activities.
Student Participation on Sports Teams
A student may participate on a sports team provided:
1. All requirements of the Eligibility Policy for Student
Participation in Sports and Activities are met.
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2. A current medical examination is on file in the Nurse’s Office.
3. The medical questionnaire has been completed, signed by the parent, and returned to the
coach.
4. There are no disciplinary recommendations including detention, suspension in-school. or
suspension out-of-school.
5. Entry to school was before 9:00 a.m.
6. All requirements for the Athletic Dress Policy are met.
7. The student was not assigned detention.
The following teams play during the designated seasons:
Fall
Cheerleading
Football
Soccer
Soccer
Swimming
Volleyball
Varsity
Junior Varsity and Varsity
Boys Junior Varsity and Varsity
Girls Varsity
Girls
Girls Junior Varsity and Varsity
Winter
Basketball
Basketball
Bowling
Cheerleading
Wrestling
Junior Varsity and Varsity
Girls Junior Varsity and Varsity
Varsity
Varsity
Varsity
Spring
Baseball
Softball
Boys Junior Varsity and Varsity
Girls Junior Varsity and Varsity
Student Trips
Students who are participating in various student trips throughout the school year must be
academically eligible at the end of that quarter to participate in the trip. Monies paid and/or funds
raised will be non-refundable if a student is academically ineligible or is suspended in-school or
suspended out-of-school. Remember, monies and/or deposits paid will not be refunded.
Student trips are a privilege. Students may not be allowed to participate if they do not have good
citizenship and/or are not following the rules & regulations in the student handbook. The principal will
have the discretion to disallow such students from participating. Remember, monies and/or deposits
paid will not be refunded.
Student Rights and Responsibilities
We believe that by accepting and fulfilling appropriate responsibilities, individuals will come to value
the privileges that result. It must be understood that with every right comes a responsibility.
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It is the Student’s Right:
It is the Student’s Responsibility:
1. To attend school in the district in which To attend school, daily, regularly and on
his/her parent or legal guardian resides. time perform assignments, and strive to do
your highest quality work.
2. To expect that school will be a safe
To be aware of all rules and expectations
orderly and purposeful place for all
regulating student’s behavior and conduct
students to gain an education and to be him/herself in accordance with these
treated fairly.
guidelines.
3. To be respected as an individual. To respect one another, and to treat others
in the manner that you would want to be

4. To express his/her opinions verbally or
in writing.
5. To dress in such a way as to express
his/her personality.
6. To have an opportunity to present your
version of the facts and circumstances
in all disciplinary matters.
7. To be represented by an active student
government selected by free school
elections.
8. To be afforded equal and appropriate
educational opportunities.
9. To take part in all school activities on an
equal basis regardless of race, sex,
religion, age, political affiliation, sexual
orientation, military status, veteran
status,use of a recognized guide dog,
hearing dog or service dog, national
origin , or disability.
10. To have access to relevant and objective
information concerning drug and alcohol
abuse, as well as access to individuals
or agencies capable of providing direct
assistance to students with severe
personal problems.
11. To be protected from discriminatory
practices.
treated.
To express his/her opinions and ideas in a
respectful manner so as not to offend,
slander, or restrict the rights and privileges
of others.
To dress appropriately in accordance with
the dress code, so as not to endanger
physical health, safety, limit participation in
school activities or be unduly distracting.
To be truthful and respectful when
responding to authority.
To take an active part in student
government by running for office, or
conscientiously voting for the best
candidates and making his/her concerns
known to the representatives.
To be aware of available educational
programs in order to fully benefit from
school.
To work to the best of your ability in all
academic and extracurricular activities, as
well as being fair and supportive of others.
To be aware of the information and services
available and to seek assistance in dealing
with personal problems, when appropriate.
To refrain from participating in any
discriminatory practices against others.
12. To have choices. To accept the consequences for these
choices within our Code of Conduct.
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