Red Lodge High School PROVIDING MOUNTAINS OF OPPORTUNITY Celebrating 109 Years of Education from 1906-2015 EMAIL: HTTP://REDLODGE.SCHOOLWIRES.COM PHONE: 406 446-1903 FAX: 406 446-3953 800 CHAMBERS AVENUE BOX 1090 RED LODGE, MT 59068
“Our mission is to support and challenge all students to reach their maximum potential through a rigorous curriculum in a safe, nurturing, and orderly environment. We are committed to building positive relationships between students, staff, administration, and community in order to provide effective student achievement through high expectation and frequent assessment”. W e l c o m e B a c k ! August 12, 2015 Dear Red Lodge High School Parents and Students: I hope each of you had an outstanding summer break. Because you may have questions about the start of the 2015-16 school year, the following information has been provided to assist you and to answer some of your questions.
The high school modified block schedule for the coming year will be very similar to last year’s schedule. Three class periods will meet daily for ninety plus minutes for one semester, equaling a full year of credit for courses taken periods 1, 2 and 3. Period/courses 4 and 5 consist of two (50) minute periods that will meet daily throughout the year. *All students will be required to register for five courses per semester. *If you did not receive a course registration schedule, please call the RLHS Office and arrange for an individual appointment with the guidance counselor during the designated time listed below.
The Red Lodge High School Campus will not be a closed campus, however continuing this year there will be specific open campus requirements. The open campus concept is a student privilege. Qualified students will have the opportunity to travel off campus during the lunch break if they meet the (3) three Open Campus Requirements, which includes signing the attached Parent/Student Open Campus Consent Agreement. Specific details are outlined in the attached contract agreement. Additional changes/reminders to the 2015-2016 school year: New Courses Math: AP Calculus (replacing Advanced Calculus) and Statistics – Mr. Stevens History/Social Science: Street Law - Mr. Connors Business Technology: Computer Science - Mrs. Reimer English/Language Arts: Literature Exploration - Mrs. Rodenbeck Art: Art II-Sculpture - Ms. Zimmerman Music: Guitar II - Ms. Coutts
Please note that RLHS students will not choose course sections, they will be assigned sections in order to prevent overloading. Students may only take one English class per year. Enrolling in two Math classes will require instructor approval.
Attendance and Tardy Policy: Please take time to review the RLHS Attendance and Tardy Policy/Guidelines and changes. We have ratcheted up the accountability for student attendance. We feel strongly that good attendance and being on time is a vital connection to preparing responsible students for success in their future. Recently we have noted that many post- secondary institutions are now evaluating potential candidates considering grades and attendance. Along with our attendance committee that will meet with individual students who acquire excessive tardy/attendance concerns, please visit with your student and note the attendance policy specific to being tardy. (please refer to attached details).
Open Campus Requirements: RLHS will continue to provide a 35-minute open campus lunch privilege for the 2015-16 school term. Maintaining this privilege is truly up to the student body. Appropriate behavior/attendance, safety and school policy expectations continue to be at the forefront of this privilege. We will continue to establish a few reasonable requirements for all 9-12 grades students as an alternative to simply closing the campus during lunch. Again this is a privilege for students who maintain minimum requirements (as outlined below). The privilege of an open campus continues to provide students with the opportunity to exercise independence, refocus/exercise, and the choice to eat lunch off campus. However, failure to meet minimum requirements, during the 2015-16 school year will result in restriction to school grounds during the lunch period until those requirements are re-established. Students on campus restriction are required to remain on school grounds and may utilize the south patio area. Students must use the main commons lobby south entrance/exit during the lunch break. Failure to remain on campus may result in loss of open campus privileges for the remainder of the year. 1). Students will be required to adhere to all RLHS Handbook Policies/Guidelines, 2). Students must maintain a GPA of 2.00 (C average) and can not have a failing grade in any course in order to maintain academic eligibility/open campus privileges. Student grades will be checked every three weeks throughout the school year to detect failing grades. If a student is deemed ineligible, the student will not be permitted to travel or compete for one week (Monday-Monday). Grades can be checked through the RLHS Office only on the following Monday no later than 3:30. If a student’s grade is passing and he/she is above a 2.00 GPA, eligibility will be reinstated. 3). Sign an Open Campus Consent Agreement that specifies the requirements, eligibility, and guidelines, which must be endorsed by the parent and student agreeing to the open campus terms (*Parents and Students must sign and return the Open Campus Student Consent Agreement by August 26, 2015 in order to be eligible for Open Campus Privilege)
Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco/E-Cigarette Related Products Students are not allowed to possess, use, or transfer any drug at school, on the way to or from school, or at any school- sponsored activity. This includes ILLEGAL DRUGS, ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATIONS (other than aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.), and PRESCRIPTION DRUGS prescribed to the student. POSSESSION DEFINED: A student is in possession of a prohibited item if the student can access the item while at school (including lunch time) or at a school activity. This includes, but is not limited to, on the student's person, clothing, book bags, locker, or automobiles parked on or off the school grounds. No individuals participating in any of the extracurricular activities at Red Lodge Schools will be allowed to use, distribute, or be in the possession of alcohol, drugs, tobacco or e- cigarette related products. Being present where minors are in the possession of using alcohol or drugs shall also result in disciplinary action. This policy is in effect 24-hours a day, throughout the season or activity period and is cumulative for the entire school year.
Community Service/Volunteer Requirement: Continuing this year 2015-16 with the incoming freshmen class, (*not required for 2015-16 - 12 grade) community service will be part of their graduation requirement. Along with the 27 credit requirement outlined in the student handbook, the incoming freshmen (eventual graduates of 2019) will be required to reflect a minimum of 20 hours of community service. It is highly recommended that students obtain a minimum of 5 hours per year to avoid jeopardizing graduation requirements. Official documentation of community service can be obtained through three local sources and will be recorded annually on the student’s high school transcript. 1). Future of Montana Volunteer Corp with the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation 2). Red Lodge High School Interact Club 3). Through a Red Lodge High School teacher, coach and/or advisor as documented through the high school guidance department. *Please refer to the Important Notifications Policies, Policy Revisions and Guidelines for 2014-15 school term Attached.
Extracurricular and Co-Curricular Chemical Use Policy: Red Lodge School District is committed to cooperating with parents/guardians in an effort to help students avoid illegal drug use. The Red Lodge School District believes accountability is a powerful tool to help some students avoid using drugs and that early detection and intervention can save lives, thereby setting an example for all other students of the Red Lodge Public School District, has adopted the following policy for drug testing of activity students.
Students participating in extra- and co-curricular activities, whether sponsored by the MHSA or not, shall not use, have in possession, sell, distribute, or associate in the presence of alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs, or abuse prescription or non-prescription drugs during their extra- or co-curricular seasons. These rules are in effect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If a student receives an MIP, or is seen using tobacco, alcohol, or illicit drugs, or reasonably knows that such are present and being used and chooses not to immediately leave so as to not violate this policy, the student will forfeit the privilege of participation in accordance with the activities and student handbooks.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS POLICY ARE FIVE-FOLD:
1. To educate students of the serious physical, mental and emotional harm caused by illegal drug use. 2. To alert students with possible substance abuse problems to the potential harms that drug use poses for their physical, mental, and emotional well being and offer them the privilege of competition as an incentive to stop using such substances. 3. Ensure that students adhere to a training program that bars the intake of illegal drugs. 4. To prevent injury, illness, and harm for students that may arise as a result from illegal drug use. 5. To offer students practices, competition and school activities free of the effects of illegal drug use.
Each activity student shall be provided with a copy of the "Student Drug Testing Consent Form", which shall be read, signed and dated by the student, parent or custodial guardian and coach/sponsor before such student shall be eligible to practice or participate in any extra-curricular activities. The consent form requires all activity students in Grades 9-12 to submit a saliva sample for testing purposes at a point in time during the first three weeks of the activity. In addition, the consent requires the Activity Student to provide a saliva sample (Grades 5-8) and urine analysis (Grades 9-12): (a) when the activity student is selected by the random selection basis to provide a sample; and/or (b) at any time when there is reasonable suspicion to test for illegal drugs. No student shall be allowed to practice or participate in any extra-curricular activities involving interscholastic competition unless the student has returned the properly signed "Student Drug Testing Consent Form." (*Please refer to the Welcome Back Packet of Information and Policy Revisions Attached)
Infinite Campus: To better provide appropriate support for our students we will be continuing with our web-based Infinite Campus Student Record system, RLHS students are responsible for checking their own Infinite Campus Grade and Attendance Portal. We encourage parents to access their high school student’s parent portal for academic information.
Dress Code Regulations: (revised by RLHS Student Council Executive Office in accordance with the NSLC/National Student Leadership Conference Attire 2015) *Please refer to attached dress code policy revisions
Three New Teachers We would like to welcome Nathan Anderson to the high school teaching team. Mr. Anderson will be teaching Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, and Geometry courses, working primarily with freshmen and sophomore level students. Mr. Anderson is coming into education as a career military veteran with dual degrees in both science and engineering. Mrs. Allyson Lammiman is a veteran agriculture teacher with an excellent teaching portfolio along with a long list of impressive accomplishments as an agriculture/FFA leadership advisor. Additionally, we would also like to welcome Ms. Susan Fischer who will be filling in as an interim guidance counselor this season. Ms Fischer has a long veteran career as a classroom teacher and many years experience in a large school district as a highly qualified guidance counselor. The caliber of expertise and strong recommendations that these three educators bring to our high school is impressive! I welcome parents to drop by our campus meet our new team members.
Continuing the Year - Academic Assistance Program—“Win Wednesday” – will be required for all students who are failing required subject areas. The student will be required to participate one day per week (currently scheduled on Wednesday) from 3:00- 3:34 with the teacher(s)/courses with whom the student may be currently receiving a D or F grade. This designated time may also be utilized by any student desiring additional assistance, making up exams, planned absence preparation/etc. Student grades will be generated weekly by the RLHS Office to determine students who may qualify for the Academic Assistance Program requirement. An Early Release Incentive will be offered to students who maintain A, B and C grades-- rewarding qualified students who have achieved satisfactory grades in required subjects. These students will be released at 3:05 on most Wednesdays throughout the school term.
In addition, a Student Conduct Code has also been included and will also be covered during individual class meetings at a the beginning of school. In place of the traditional student planner, all students will receive the new “RLHS RAM” Student Flash Drive which will include all current student handbook policies pertaining to academic, behavior, attendance and extracurricular information/requirements as well as other helpful information for high school success. Information provided on the student flash drives will also be duplicated on the district website.
School begins for all Red Lodge students on Wednesday, August 26 at 8:10 a.m. with a full day schedule ending at 3:34 p.m., and buses will be running morning and afternoon routes. If you have bus transportation questions, please contact our District Transportation Director, John Fitzgerald at 446-2110.
The RLHS Guidance/Counseling department will handle all class schedule changes. Students will have the opportunity to request class changes within the first three days of a semester. All drop/add requests must have signed approval from the teachers, parents and the guidance counselor. **RLHS Final Course Registration will begin at the high school office on Thursday, August 20 and Friday, August 21. *During this time students are encouraged to sign up for an individual appointment with our RLHS School Guidance Counselor, Susan Fischer, if you have specific concerns with your 2015-16 course schedule. **All parents are welcome and encouraged to attend. Also, all student schedules are now available on line via our Infinite Campus portal. To access your student’s schedule use the same password/code provided last year. New students and parents will need to call the RLHS Office for portal information.
*Senior Registration - Thurs., August 20 9:00-12:00 a.m. *Junior Registration – Thurs., August 20 1:00-4:00 p.m. *Sophomore Registration – Fri., August 21 9:00-12:00 a.m. *Freshmen Registration - Fri., August 21 1:00-4:00 p.m.
*We will also host > Freshmen Orientation on Tuesday, August 25 from 9:00-12:30 on the RLHS Campus < followed by a complimentary lunch. The orientation will provide all freshmen students with important high school transition information, including policies, course information, high school activity information, and the opportunity to locate lockers, classrooms and meet with your freshmen course teachers. **Attendance is Required** We will begin orientation in the RLHS Music room at 9:00 AM Sharp!
John Perrigo will be continuing as the RLHS Traffic Education Instructor. However, we will not be offering a fall traffic session but will resume offering winter, spring and summer sessions. For additional information please contact John Perrigo at 696-3981 or call the RLHS office at 446-1903.
** Please find Important Notifications Policies, Policy Revisions and Guidelines for 2015-16 Open Campus Requirements Freshmen, Sophomore and Junior Community Service Requirement (Seniors Class of 2016 Exempt) Harassment/Intimidation/Bullying Policy Extracurricular and Co-Curricular Chemical Use/Drug Testing Policy Academic Eligibility Cell Phone/Personal Use Technology Policy—New Revisions Academic Integrity, Plagiarism and Cheating Update Turnitin.com Website Information RLHS Dress Code Policy – New Revisions Attendance and Tardy Policy Academic Credit/Course Requirements for Graduation Commencement Honors Guidelines RLHS Behavior Expectations and Student Conduct Code Important Federal and State Notifications Student Leadership/Student Council Executive Office Information *Please Note: Food Service/Free and Reduced Lunch Information Is Available at the RLHS Office **ATTENTION ALL STUDENTS**
**Required to Complete the Following Forms During Final Registration at the RLHS Office: New Students Complete Montana Office of Public Instruction-Race/Ethnicity Form - (yellow) RLHS Campus Parking Policy/Parking Permit Form - (green) ** Enclosed Information Requiring Parent and/or Student Consent : Student/Parent Open Campus Consent Agreement - (purple) Student Drug Testing Consent Form (required for all students who plan on participating in a RLHS Extracurricular and/or Co-curricular programs - (salmon) Census Verification Report – Please check all information and revise with current information. Also, Please Add Your Student’s -Current cell phone number -Student vehicle(s) information-model/color -Please Sign and Return back to the RLHS Office during final registration Acceptable Computer Use Policy - Please fill out and return signed by parent/guardian - Required before students may utilize school computers - (gray) Student Insurance Information (color) High School Parents, please mark your calendars to attend the District-wide Open House Wednesday, September 9 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. for RLHS and 6:00-7:00 for grades K-8. Open house is a great opportunity for Parents and their High School Student to tour high school campus, visit with teachers, meet our new teachers and staff and obtain information about our comprehensive programs. In addition, we will have RLHS parent volunteers providing information about our RLHS Activity Booster Club and the return of our RLHS Parent-Teacher Organization. Please consider volunteering. We need parent support and involvement to continue the great things that are taking place at RLHS as well as providing new insights and ideas for our future. Your input is vital to our success! In closing, parents, we are pleased to have you as partners in the coming new educational year. As the year progresses, and as you become more informed or have questions, we encourage you to stop in and visit or call the high school office for additional information. Our goal is that parents and students have access to school information specific to Red Lodge High School. To accomplish that, a quarterly newsletter will be available on our website at redlodgeschoolwires.com located on the high school tab. RLHS students, we again are pleased to welcome you back, and we look forward to accomplishing another great year together. We hope that the enclosed materials are helpful to you and your parents. *We look forward to seeing you on our first day back, Wednesday, August 26 at 8:10 a.m.
Sincerely, Rex Ternan, RLHS Principal