Missoula County Public Schools School District BIG SKY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT HANDBOOK 2017-2018 WELCOME PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE: Dear Big Sky Community, On behalf of the administration, staff and faculty of Big Sky High School it is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2017-2018 school year. This year we will continue to teach and celebrate our four universal values: Show Respect, Be Open Minded, Aspire to Graduate and Be Responsible. These are our SOAR community values and reflect the big hearted students, staff and families of Big Sky. We will also continue to incorporate the International Baccalaureate Learner Profile across the school. This will become the basis of our learner expectations. That means we will work together as a community to ensure that all classes, clubs, and activities regularly incorporate lessons that support students and staff being strong thinkers, communicators and problem solvers. Big Sky already has so many academic and extra-curricular programs that are supporting students to develop into leaders. Our SOAR community expectations and the IB Learner Profile will enhance and support the strong teaching and learning already happening in programs such as the Health Science Academy, Senior Projects, Science Circus, the IB Program, DECA, Aerie, FFA, Speech and Debate, Yearbook, Model UN, Student Government, Newspaper, Robotics, Art Club, Drama, Band, Choir and all of our athletic teams – the list goes on of great opportunities to bring out the best in every student. I am so proud to be your principal. Every single day I see evidence that Big Sky students have bright minds and big hearts. I look forward to another great year. Sincerely, Natalie Jaeger Principal, Big Sky High School SUPERINTENDENT’S MESSAGE: The mission, vision and core beliefs of Missoula County Public Schools are the foundation for the future of our schools. We will continue to foster the development of an inspired 21st Century Educational Culture that improves lifelong student achievement, develops remarkable educational leaders and engages the Missoula community in the future of its children. “Forward Thinking, High Achieving” is a tagline that we use at Missoula County Public Schools. It highlights our goal of continuous improvement of existing programs while also seeking to identify new opportunities to enhance student engagement. MCPS continues to strive for success for every student every day, and this year will be no exception. We are transforming our district’s future through implementation of our 21st Century Model of Education and the “Achievement for All” five-year instructional strategic plan which call for enhanced student engagement, updated learning environments, increased collaboration and communication with all stakeholders, more “personalized” professional growth opportunities for staff, and development of a culture of innovation throughout the district. The facility enhancements being completed as a result of our two bond initiatives are designed to support all students and staff with buildings that meet the vision expressed by the community in the 21st Century Model of Education. The bond projects will provide the necessary investment in our schools to repair aging buildings, update technology infrastructure and increase capacity for our growing student body. Great school facilities enhance student learning; well-educated students yield a high-quality workforce which will attract new businesses and jobs. Improving our schools is truly an investment in our local economy. At MCPS, we want students to succeed academically and graduate regardless of their circumstances and abilities. Each and every student is important; our dedicated educators work hard to ensure that each student is learning and succeeding in the classroom. Together, with continued community support and dedication to our children, we will continue to increase academic rigor, improve graduation rates and prepare our students for post-secondary and workforce success. Our hopes, dreams and vision will continue to move us toward greater achievement. I look forward to a continued partnership with the Missoula community to provide the foundation to ensure success for all students. Missoula County Public Schools Vision Statement: We communicate; we collaborate; we think critically; and we create. We are Missoula County Public Schools-educational leaders in a global society-fostering uncompromising excellence and empowering all learners. Sincerely, Mark A. Thane Superintendent, Missoula County Public Schools Big Sky High School Main Office 3100 South Avenue West Missoula, MT 59804 (406)728-2401 Fax (406)549-4616 Attendance Hot Line (406)728-0787 Missoula County Public Schools ............................................................. (406)728-2400 Natalie Jaeger, Principal ..................................................................................Ext. 8026 Jennifer Courtney, Assistant Principal .............................................................Ext. 8088 Matt Clausen, Assistant Principal ....................................................................Ext. 8025 Sabrina Beed Admin. T.O.S.A/AD.……………………………………….………………………… Ext. 8028 Wendy Gay, Principal’s Secretary ............................................................ ….....Ext. 8020 Karen Sweeney, Activities Secretary ................................................................Ext. 8022 Janice McGraw, Special Needs Secretary .........................................................Ext. 8047 Marjorie Buchholtz, Bookkeeper .....................................................................Ext. 8023 Deb Pengelly, Records .....................................................................................Ext. 8030 Karen Staves, Attendance ...............................................................................Ext. 8027 Student Government Advisor:.Mike Marcinkowski Student Body Presidents: Gabe Jourdonnais and Mackenzie Morrison Student Body Secretary: Kassie Marcinkowski Senior Class President: Stormee Kipp Senior Class Vice-President: SamTiede Junior Class President: Katie Rolle Junior Class Vice-President: Mason Corcoran Sophomore Class President: Whitney Morrison Sophomore Class Vice-President: Erin Murphy **Freshmen candidates determined by Elections in the fall. Important Note: All candidates for Student Body President and Vice-President must have a minimum of one year experience in Student Government to be eligible. STAY CONNECTED Like us on facebook: facebook.com/bigskyhighschool Follow us on twitter: twitter.com/bigskyhs Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/bigskyhs CONTENTS TO STUDENTS AND PARENTS .................................................................................................................. 1 BOARD OF TRUSTEES ................................................................................................................................. 1 ALLERGIES .................................................................................................................................................... 2 ATTENDANCE .............................................................................................................................................. 2 AWARDING HONOR ROLL STATUS .......................................................................................................... 6 BELL SCHEDULES ....................................................................................................................................... 6 BULLYING/HARASSMENT/INTIMIDATION/HAZING ....................................................................... 7 CELL PHONES .............................................................................................................................................. 7 COLLEGE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP...................................... 7 COMMUNICABLE DISEASE AND ILLNESS ............................................................................................. 7 COMPLAINTS BY STUDENTS AND PARENTS ........................................................................................ 8 COMPUTER RESOURCES ........................................................................................................................... 8 CONDUCT ..................................................................................................................................................... 8 CORPORAL PUNISHMENT ........................................................................................................................ 12 COUNSELING ............................................................................................................................................... 12 DISCIPLINE AND DUE PROCESS .............................................................................................................. 12 DISTRIBUTION OF MATERIALS ............................................................................................................... 13 DRESS AND GROOMING ............................................................................................................................. 14 DUAL CREDIT COURSES/COLLEGE COURSEWORK ............................................................................ 14 EPINEPHRINE AUTO-INJECTORS IN SCHOOLS .................................................................................. 14 EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, CLUBS, AND ORGANIZATIONS .................................................. 15 FAMILIES IN TRANSITION (FIT) PROGRAM – MCKINNEY-VENTO