HOMEPAGE

 

Student Hand Book, 2007-2008

TIME/CLASS SCHEDULES

LUNCH SCHEDULE

***Note***

B and C lunch will be combined into one lunch period when the school is not operating on Eastern Daylight Time.

THE PHILOSOPHY OF RISING SUN HIGH SCHOOL

In a democratic republic, education is a right, as well as a privilege. To provide education for all, schools have been established. It is the responsibility of the school to teach and to maintain the fundamental concepts of American democracy. This is a shared responsibility with the home, the church, the government, and other community organizations that benefit youth. Therefore, the school should know and cooperate with these agencies.

The main function of a secondary school is to develop the child to the fullest extent of his mental, physical, and moral capabilities. In order to do this, a modern school should be comprehensive and broad enough in its curriculum to serve the academic, practical, technical and vocational desires of the students. In so far as present facilities permit, Rising Sun offers educational opportunities to students of varying interests and abilities.

The teacher is a fundamental factor in the school. He/She should be well trained in his/her own professional field and should have a knowledge and understanding of the American way of life. He/She should be ethical, open-minded, and sympathetic with youth. He/She should seek to instill in the student a desire for scholastic achievement and for satisfactory social adjustment.

The pupil should be made to feel that he/she is an important member of society and that teachers are his/her friends. He/She has duties as well as privileges. He/She expects help and consideration. He/ She should give respect and cooperation.

The relationship between administration and teachers should be one of trust, understanding and mutual respect. A sound philosophy of education is basic in developing citizenship in a democracy. The main objectives of education should be the following:

Start now to prepare yourself for the life in the bright future that can be yours. Start now to:

Get your education now, prepare yourself for the future, and if possible, get ready for training beyond high school. It’s your life; get ready to live it!

PERMANENT RECORDS

A complete record is kept for each student throughout his/her school career. The permanent record includes grades, courses taken, test results, grade average, and class rank. He/she may inspect your records by making arrangements with the guidance office.

STUDENT SCHEDULES

Students are required to enroll in a minimum of six (6) classes each semester. No more than one (1) study hall per semester may be scheduled. Exceptions to a student’s schedule may be made only with the approval of the guidance counselor and principal. Students do not have the opportunity to request certain teachers.

Errors in student schedules should be brought to the attention of the counselor, principal, or secretary as soon as they are noted. After a student has registered, few schedule changes will be made. Dropping and/or adding courses may be considered at the end of the first semester.

Early Graduation Policy

A Student may elect to graduate at the end of the first semester of his/her senior year from Rising Sun High School provided:

Any student wishing to remain eligible for athletic participation during the second semester shall not be eligible for early graduation.

A student who wishes to graduate early will still be eligible to participate in the senior trip provided that all trip requirements are met prior to the departure date.

A student who wishes to graduate early will still be eligible to participate in commencement ceremonies with his/her class at the conclusion of the second semester.

Senior Modified Schedule Policy

A Student may elect to attend Rising Sun High School on a modified schedule during his/her senior year provided:

The student will be required to be in attendance at the high school for only those periods which they are scheduled into a class.

A student wishing to remain eligible for athletic participation must be enrolled in five classes per semester during the entire year.

A student who is enrolled on a modified schedule will be eligible to participate in all school sponsored activities.

A student who develops an attendance problem while on a modified schedule will forfeit their eligibility for a modified schedule and will be required to be in attendance for the entire school day.

COURSE ENROLLMENT/CLASS CHANGE PROCEDURES

Course enrollment procedures begin early in the second semester with individual class meetings. At this time the guidance department distributes course description handbooks and information concerning required courses, electives, and the Academic Honors Diploma. Students' scheduling questions are answered at this time. Students, in cooperation with their guidance counselor, are assisted in the completion of their tentative schedules during their individual scheduling session. Students are then required to have their parent/guardian sign their schedule form stating their approval. Schedule forms are then to be returned to the guidance office. Every attempt will be made to schedule the student into his/her preferred classes. However, due to scheduling conflicts, a student is asked to select an alternative class to complete his/her schedule.

After student schedules are finalized, course change procedures may be initiated in order to correct an administrative error, to remedy improper placement, or to effectively utilize staff. Counselor, teacher, and parent/guardian input will be utilized to determine if the requested change is academically in the student's best interest. Any appeal concerning course change decisions by the guidance department may be forwarded to the principal for review.

GRADE LEVEL CLASSIFICATION

Classification of each student according to grade level will occur prior to the first student day of each school year and each student shall retain that classification for the academic year. All newly enrolled students will be classified upon entering RSHS at the time the entering student’s transcript is received from the sending school. A classification review may occur at the request of the student in writing to the school counselor.

Students classified as freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors may participate only in activities of each representative class. The number of years in attendance does not mandate participation in particular class activity. Credits earned regulate grade classification:

A student electing to re-take a class to better his/her grade will receive the higher of the two grades on his/her permanent record.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS – 40 CREDITS (CORE 40)

English/Literature 8 credits

Math 6 credits

Science 6 credits

Social Studies 6 credits

Physical Education    1 credit

Health                        1 credit

Keyboarding              1 credit

Electives                    11 credits

HONORS DIPLOMA

The State of Indiana awards an Honors Diploma to those students who graduate with the following:

The student must earn 47 credits in the following areas.

GRADING SCALE

The following grading scale will be used in all courses at the high school. The only exception will be if a student is under a modified grading scale according to his/her I.E.P.

FINAL EXAMS

Each class will administer a final exam and/or a final project at the end of each semester. Class periods will be reorganized to give a minimum of 90 minutes per class per exam. Schedules will be arranged so that a student will have no more than three (3) exams during a school day. The semester exam will count as 20% of the semester grade.

NINE-WEEK AND SEMESTER GRADES

Students will earn a nine-week grade at the end of each grading period. They will also earn a semester grade at the end of the second and fourth grading periods. The semester grade will be the compilation of 40% of each nine-week grade and 20% of the semester final exam grade.

PROGRESS REPORTS

Progress reports will be mailed home approximately halfway through each grading period. If parents fail to receive a copy of their child’s report, they should contact the high school office at 438-2652.

DISCIPLINE CONCEPT OF RISING SUN HIGH SCHOOL

Basic Concept

Discipline is letting students know that they are not going to disrupt their school, school activities, classrooms, their fellow students or their teachers. Students have the right and the promise from their community that they can go to school and learn. Teachers have the same right, to be able to walk into their classrooms and teach.

To The Students

We will not tolerate your disrupting school, school activities, or classroom areas. We will not tolerate your keeping teachers from teaching, yourself and/or other students from learning. We will not tolerate your being defiant, belligerent or disrespectful. We will not tolerate your engaging in behavior that is not in your best interest or that of others.

To The Parents

We will not tolerate your child disrupting school, school activities, or classroom areas. We will not tolerate your child keeping teachers from teaching and students from learning. We will not tolerate your child behaving in a defiant, belligerent, or disrespectful manner. It is in your child's best interest that we work together to help him/her. You are encouraged to support the teachers and the school as often as possible. We will expect your support.

From The Administration

All children can be expected to behave. It has been educationally established that one of the primary reasons that a child is a school behavioral problem is that the parents do not make the youngster behave at home. Discipline can and must be positive and is designed to help the student to improve his overall attitude.

DISCIPLINE STATEMENT

While this document deals directly with students' rights and responsibilities, it indirectly describes the rights and responsibilities of teachers, school administrators and school employees.

The teacher is required by law to maintain a suitable environment for learning, To carry out this responsibility, the teacher may discipline a student. Administrators have the right to discipline, suspend, or recommend expulsion of students.

Discipline shall mean all forms of corrective actions taken by school personnel other than suspension and expulsion. The following methods are among those forms considered as "discipline": conferences, detention, reduction of grades, assigning additional work, restriction from extra-curricular activities, corporal punishment, and any other action that is reasonably necessary to carry out or prevent interference with an educational function or school purpose.

Law officials will be summoned whenever it appears laws are being violated or whenever it is deemed necessary.

STUDENT CONDUCT

"We are known by our actions as well as our words." This old saying implies that learning correct behavior is as important as any other part of high school training.

Good appearance in and about the school building is necessary. This means the entire campus should be free of paper and waste materials. Walking across the lawn destroys the efforts to keep it attractive. Inside the building, locker doors are to be kept closed, waste paper off the floor, and chewing gum off the desks, tables, and floors. Writing on walls and furniture and the defacing of books, magazines, and other property is not tolerated and would be cause for disciplinary action.

Student relationships with teachers and other students should be friendly and respectful at all times. Undesirable behavior while a fellow student or teacher is talking is disrespectful and is not permitted.

Proper clothing and attractive personal appearance in school are very important. Both boys and girls should have sufficient pride in personal appearance to use good taste in dress and personal appearance.

At convocations, assemblies, or athletic events every speaker or group of performers should receive respectful attention. Proper respect for the display of the flag and the playing of the national anthem reflects credit upon the individual, the school, and the community.

Conduct at sports events reflects on the students as citizens. Sitting in the school section is important for supporting your athletic team. Cheerleaders and the teams need your support at pep sessions and ballgames. The student body must show respect for the referees' decisions. The teams appreciate the students' presence and enthusiasm. The reputation of a school body is developed through the conduct of its individual students and the collective student body.

GROUNDS FOR SUSPENSION OR EXPULSION

SECTION 10. IC 20-8.1-5.1 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 1995]:

Student supervision and the desirable behavior of students in carrying out school purposes are the responsibility of a school corporation and the students of a school corporation.

In all matters relating to the discipline and conduct of students, school corporation personnel stand in the relationship of parents and guardians to the students of the School Corporation. Therefore, school corporation personnel have the right, subject to this chapter, to take any disciplinary action necessary to promote student conduct that conforms with an orderly and effective educational system.

Students must follow responsible directions of school personnel in all educational settings and refrain from disruptive behavior that interferes with the educational environment.

This section applies to a person who is a teacher or other school staff member; and has students under that person’s charge.

A person may take any action that is reasonably necessary to carry out or to prevent an interference with an educational function that the person supervises.

Subject to rules of the governing body and the administrative staff, a person may remove a student for a period that does not exceed five (5) school days from an educational function supervised by the person, another person who is a teacher, or anyone who is a school staff member.

A principal may take any action concerning the principal’s school or a school activity within the principal’s jurisdiction that is reasonably necessary to carry out or prevent interference with an educational function or school purposes.

Subsection (a) allows a principal to write regulations to govern student conduct.

A superintendent or a member of the superintendent’s administrative staff may take, with the superintendent’s jurisdiction, any action that is reasonably necessary to carry out or prevent interference with an educational function or school purposes.

The governing body of a school corporation must do the following:

This publicity requirement may not be construed technically and is satisfied in any case when the School Corporation makes a good faith effort to disseminate to students or parents generally the text or substance of discipline rules.

The superintendent of a school corporation and the principals of each school in a school corporation may adopt regulations establishing lines of responsibility and related guidelines in compliance with the discipline policies of the governing body.

The governing body of a school corporation may delegate rule making, disciplinary, and other authority as is reasonably necessary to carry out the school purposes of the School Corporation.

Subsection (a) does not apply to rules or directions concerning the following:

  • movement of students

  • movement of parking vehicles

  • day-to-day instruction concerning the operation of a classroom or teaching station

  • time for commencement of school

  • other standards or regulations relating to the manner in which an educational function must be administered.

However, this subsection does not prohibit the governing body from regulating the areas listed in this subsection.

In addition to the grounds specified in section 8 of this chapter, a student may be suspended or expelled for engaging in unlawful activity on or off campus grounds if

the unlawful activity may be reasonably considered to be an interference with school purposes or an educational function; or

the student’s removal is necessary to restore order to protect persons on school property; including an unlawful activity during weekends, holidays, other school breaks, and the summer period when a student may not be attending classes or other functions.

As used in this section, "weapon" means a firearm (as defined in 18 U.S.C. 921).

Notwithstanding section 14 of this chapter, a student who is identified as bringing a weapon to school or on school property; or  in possession of a weapon on school property; must be expelled for a period of at least one (1) calendar year, with the return of the student at the beginning of the first school semester after the end of the one (1) year period.

The superintendent may, on a case-by-case basis, modify the period of expulsion under subsection (b) for a student who is expelled under this section.

A student may be expelled from school if the student’s legal settlement is not in the attendance area of the School Corporation where the student is enrolled.

A principal may suspend a student for not more than ten (10) school days under section 8,9 or 10 of this chapter. However, the student may be suspended for more than ten (10) school days under section 16 of this chapter.

A principal may not suspend a student before the principal affords the student an opportunity for a meeting during which the student is entitled to the following:

  • a written or an oral statement of the charges against the student

  • if the student denies the charges, a summary of the evidence against the student

  • an opportunity for the student to explain the student’s conduct.

When misconduct requires immediate removal of a student, the meeting under subsection (b) shall commence as soon as reasonably possible after the student’s suspension.

Following a suspension, the principal shall send a written statement to the parent of the suspended student describing the following:

  • the student’s misconduct

  • the action taken by the principal.

WEAPONS (RS-OC POLICY 11.20)

It is prohibited for students to possess, handle, or transmit a weapon, or anything that could be considered a weapon, at school, at school related events, on a bus, or on school property.

The penalty for any student who violates this policy is expulsion from all school activities for a period of one (1) year. The penalty may be reduced or modified by the Superintendent of Schools.

TOBACCO

Students are not permitted to use or be in possession of tobacco or tobacco paraphernalia (lighter, matches, wrappers, etc) in any form at any time in the school building, on the buses, on the school grounds, or within the area surrounding the school grounds. This applies to all school-sponsored activities as well as the regular school day.

Violations of the above school policy will result in the following:

Students under the age of 18 in possession of tobacco products may also be reported to local law enforcement authorities because they are in violation of the law.

****Students found in violation of this policy will have the option of completing an independent tobacco study program in lieu of serving a suspension. This program will consist of the student watching a program on the hazards of tobacco use and writing a minimum 500 word essay on the program. The essay must be considered to be of above average work for the student to receive credit for the program. If the student fails to receive credit for the program, the student will be suspended out-of-school for one (1) day. Students not electing this alternative after the first offense will not be allowed this alternative for future violations.

CHEATING/PLAGIARISM

The Rising Sun High School administration expects that all work that a student turns into his/her teacher to be his/her own. Classroom teachers will develop guidelines on the consequences of cheating in their classroom.

Plagiarism is defined as the presentation of ideas or words of another as one’s own. The administration expects all of the students of Rising Sun High School to strictly follow the rules of research, documentation, and notations. Students found to be in violation of these guidelines may have discipline procedures initiated against them, which may include grade reduction, grade forfeiture, class failure, and, in extreme cases, suspension and/or expulsion from school.

ALCOHOL/DRUGS

Students knowingly possessing, using, transmitting, or being under the influence of any narcotic, drug, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant of any kind is prohibited at any time. Students in possession of any drug paraphernalia are also in violation of this policy.

Any student appearing on school grounds who has been drinking alcoholic beverages in any amount, is under the influence of alcohol, or has alcohol detected on his/her breath is considered a violator.

HARASSMENT

Harassment of any source whether physical or verbal is not tolerated at Rising Sun High School. This includes a student or group of students harassing a teacher, staff member, or student and a teacher harassing a student or a group of students. Students who feel they have been harassed should report to the building principal immediately. Corporation policy 6.3 explicitly defines harassment and sets out a complaint procedure, which will be followed.

BULLYING

Rising Sun High School prohibits bullying in any form of an individual while on school grounds immediately before or during school hours, immediately after school hours or at any other time when the school is being used by a school group; off school grounds at a school activity, function or event; traveling to or from school or a school activity, function or event; or using property or equipment provided by the school.

Bullying is defined as any overt, repeated acts or gestures, including verbal or written communications transmitted; physical act committed; or any other behaviors committed by the student or group of students against another student with the intent to harass, ridicule, humiliate, intimidate, or harm the other student.

If an individual is a victim of bullying or suspects acts of bullying they should immediately report the incident to the Principal or Assistant Principal. Upon notification, the administrator will conduct an appropriate investigation.

A student found to be guilty of bullying another individual faces the following consequences:

GANG OR GANG ACTIVITIES

Rising Sun High School and Rising Sun – Ohio County School Corporation will not tolerate any gang type activity. Any group that promotes, sponsors, assists, or participates in or requires as a condition of membership the commission of an illegal act or battery may be defined as a gang. Communication made with the intent to harm a person or the person’s property may be defined as participating in gang activity. A student who threatens another student because the other person refuses to join a gang or has withdrawn from a gang would be considered to be committing gang activity. Any student involved in this type of activity will be disciplined by the school and a referral will be made to the police for prosecution under the criminal gang control statutes.

CELL PHONES AND PAGERS

Students are not to use or have in their possession any type of cellular phone or electronic paging device while on school grounds during the school day. Students will be issued a warning before disciplinary action is taken.

SOME OTHER DISCIPLINARY AREAS

Offense: Bus Offense/Referral

Consequences:

Offense: Unsafe Vehicle Operation or Speeding on School Grounds

Consequences:

NOTE: Reckless driving and/or running a stop arm on a school bus will result in consequence #3.

Offense: Skipping After-School Detention

Consequences:

Offense: Skipping an Assigned Saturday School

Consequences:

Offense: Damaging Property

Consequences:

*Restitution of damaged property in all instances

Offense: Stealing

Consequences:

Offense: Skipping Class or Leaving Class without Permission

Consequences:

Offense: Truancy

Consequences:

Offense: Intimidating, Harassing, and/or Threatening Another Student

Consequences:

Offense: Fighting, Inciting a Fight, Hazing, Initiating

Consequences:

Offense: Sent to Office Due to Disruption in Class

Consequences:

Offense: Failure to Follow a Reasonable Request

Consequences:

Offense: Disrespect to Another Student

Consequences:

Offense: Disrespect to a School Employee

Consequences:

*NOTE -Blatant disrespect will result with consequence #3 above

Offense: Possession of, Distribution of, Consumption of, or Under the Influence of Illegal Drugs or Alcohol

Consequences:

Offense: Possession of a Deadly Weapon

Consequences:

The above procedures will serve as administrative guidelines when disciplining a student. The administration reserves the right to modify or expedite the consequences due to the severity of the offense, combination of offenses, a student’s prior discipline record, or other unforeseen circumstances.

STUDENT DRIVER POLICY

Students who drive or ride any motor vehicle, automobile, motor bike, scooter, or motorcycle to school are expected to abide by the following regulations:

  • drivers must possess a valid driver’s license

  • adhere to the 15 MPH speed limit in the school area

  • vehicles must be parked in the lot designated for students, which is east of the main entrance. A parking lot is also located behind the school building

  • parked vehicles should be at least five feet from the edge of the curb, which will permit school buses to make a complete turn when necessary

  • upon entering the area between Main and First Streets, drivers will park their vehicles immediately in the area designated for student parking

  • students will not remain in, on, or about vehicles after they are parked

  • students are not to be in vehicles at anytime during the school day (including lunch time) without permission - noon time driving is prohibited

  • all vehicles will remain in the parking lots until the end of the school day

  • permission, which may be granted only in the office, to drive one’s vehicle during school hours will be permitted for the following reasons only:

  • dental or doctor’s appointments

  • school sponsored activities

  • emergency requests for students to return home

at the end of the school day, drivers are encouraged to leave the parking lot in an orderly and safe manner.

LAWS ON SUSPENSIONS AND DRIVER LICENSE

SECTION 1 IC 9-24-2-1 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 1995]:

A driver’s license or a learner’s permit may not be issued to an individual less than eighteen (18) years of age who meets any of the following conditions:

in an effort to circumvent the sanctions listed under this subsection as determined by the superintendent of the School Corporation in which the student is enrolled, the student withdraws from school before graduating.

SECTION 2 IC 9-24-2-4 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 1995]:

If a person is less than eighteen (18) years of age and is under a suspension or an expulsion or has withdrawn from school as described in section 1 of this chapter, the bureau shall, upon notification by the person’s principal, invalidate the person’s license or permit until the earliest of the following:

The bureau shall promptly mail a notice to the person’s last known address that states the following:

If an aggrieved person believes that

If a person satisfies the condition for reinstatement of a license under this section, the person may submit to the bureau the necessary information certifying that at least one (1) of the events described in subsection (a) has occurred.

Upon certifying the information received under subsection (d), the bureau shall revalidate the person’s license or permit.

A person may not operate a motor vehicle in violation of this section.

BUS REGULATIONS

Students who board buses leave their seventh period classes at the 3:00 p.m. bell.

Student Responsibilities:

  • Each student shall be located immediately upon entering the bus in the place assigned by the driver.

  • No pupils shall stand or move from place to place during the trip.

  • Loud, boisterous or profane language, or indecent conduct shall not be tolerated.

  • Students shall not be allowed to tease, scuffle, trip, hold, hit or use their hands or feet or body in any objectionable manner.

  • No window or doors will be opened or closed except by permission of the bus driver.

  • No food or drinks are allowed on the bus without the permission of the bus driver.

  • No students shall enter or leave the bus until it has come to a full stop and the door has been opened by the driver.

  • Upon recommendation of the bus driver, school authorities will deny the privilege of riding the school bus to any student who refuses to conduct himself or herself in a gentlemanly or lady-like manner.

  • The student should be waiting at his/her loading station when the bus arrives.

Riding Unassigned Buses:

Any student boarding a bus to which the student is not assigned may ride if

  • space is available on the bus without loading beyond capacity

  • a note signed by parent or guardian is presented to the driver prior to boarding the bus

  • the student conforms to rules and safety regulations

  • the student has not been excluded from riding other buses.

CLOSED CAMPUS

Rising Sun Schools have a closed campus. Students coming on campus in the morning are to remain on school property for the remainder of the school day. Students are not allowed in the parking lot areas after arriving at school without permission from a school official.

CAFETERIA

Rising Sun-Ohio County Community School Corporation participates in the Federal School Lunch Program and follows the guidelines set forth by the program.

Student lunches vary in cost from year to year. The price of a Type A lunch will be announced at the beginning of each school year. Prices are subject to change during the year. Requests for free or reduced lunches require parent or guardian of student to complete an application. Federal guidelines govern eligibility. Parent/guardian will be notified within a reasonable time of approval or disapproval of free or reduced lunch applications. Some extra food items may be purchased during the lunch period at prices posted in the cafeteria.

Students in grades 9-12 have the option of purchasing lunches from an a-la-carte menu in the high school cafeteria or bringing their lunch and eating in the cafeteria. There will be no orders or deliveries from an outside source. All lunches must be eaten in the high school cafeteria. No food or drink may be taken from the cafeteria by the students. No credit will be extended for school lunches.

Students will conduct themselves properly, wear proper attire, and use proper table manners during the lunch break or lose the privilege of using the cafeteria.

LOCKERS AND LOCKS

At the start of each year, every student will be assigned a locker with a combination lock for personal use. Students should not give their combination to any other person. Students may not bring their own locks for lockers used at the school.

Students should only use the locker assigned to them. Students are not to share a locker with another student unless assigned to do so by the principal’s office. Students are responsible for maintaining the locker in good condition. Students are not to write anything on either the inside or outside of the locker. Students are to get permission from the principal’s office before hanging anything on their locker. A student may be charged a maintenance fee for excessive damage to a locker which could not happen through normal usage.

Students should never leave money or valuables in their locker. Large amounts of money should be left in the office for safekeeping. Students, not the school, are responsible for their own property.

STUDENT LOCKER INSPECTION

All lockers made available for student use on the school premises, including lockers located in the hallways and physical education and athletic dressing rooms, are the property of the School Corporation. These lockers are made available for student use in storing school supplies and personal items necessary for use at school, but the lockers are not to be used to store items which cause, or can reasonably be foreseen to cause, an interference with school purposes or an educational function, or which are forbidden by state law or school rule.

The student’s use of the locker does not diminish the corporation’s ownership or control of the locker. The school corporation retains the right to inspect the locker and its contents to insure that the locker is being used in accordance with its intended purpose, and to eliminate other hazards, maintain sanitary conditions, attempt to locate lost or stolen materials, and to prevent use of the locker to store prohibited or dangerous materials such as weapons, illegal drugs or alcohol.

STUDENT SEARCHES

School personnel have the right to protect students from harm, to conduct reasonable searches of students’ lockers, belongings and, when necessary, of their person.

STUDENT COURTSHIP

Students are expected to use good judgment and good taste in their affectionate expression in school. Physical contact such as kissing, hugging, embraces, hand holding, etc. on school grounds during regular school days are not permissible.

STUDENT IDENTIFICATION

For security purposes, students will be issued an identification card on the first day of the school year. Students are required to have their cards visibly displayed on their body during the school day. Students who lose their identification cards will have to purchase a replacement card at $7.00 per card.

LEAVING THE BUILDING

A student is never to leave the building or school grounds while school is in session without securing permission from the office. Students must sign out, giving time and reason for leaving and also sign in when returning. No students may ever leave the school grounds without the following:

  • verbal permission from the office

  • permission from parents by a phone call before leaving

  • authority from a teacher prior to coming to the office

  • signing an attendance office sheet

Students may not leave school grounds without parental consent for such things as shop projects, class or club obligations, or class trips.

MEDICATION IN SCHOOLS

In accordance with state guidelines, we will only administer those medications necessary to maintain the student in school..

A strict policy will be followed in order to comply with state guidelines and ensure safe effective administration of medication for those students who require them.

When sending medications to school, please follow these instructions:

PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION

OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATION

If it is absolutely necessary to administer over-the-counter medications, you must follow these instructions:

MEDICATION WILL NOT BE ADMINISTERED IF :

MEDICATION CHANGES:

If there is a change in the dosage of prescription medication, these instructions must be followed:

DISCARDING MEDICATIONS

The parent/guardian is responsible for picking up any unused medication at the end of treatment. Any medication not picked up by the last day of school will be discarded by the nurse.

ONLY MEDICATION THAT MUST BE GIVEN DURING SCHOOL HOURS WILL BE ADMINISTERED AT SCHOOL. IF YOU CAN SCHEDULE MEDICATION DOSES AROUND SCHOOL HOURS, PLEASE DO SO.

PASSES

Every student who leaves a classroom must have a pass. Any student who is stopped in the hallways without a pass will be considered skipping that period. Teachers need to make sure that students have a pass when they are leaving their room.

Each student will be given a student agenda book on the first day of school. These books will have places for passes in the back of the book. These passes are to be the only ones used by the student. If the student does not have their agenda book, he/she will not get a pass. The only exception will be passes from the offices.

If a student’s agenda book is lost or destroyed, a replacement book may be purchased from the office for the cost of $7.00.

AFTER SCHOOL DETENTION

After school detention can be given by the teacher or administration for disciplinary problems that would not be serious enough for suspension or expulsion. After school detention will be from 3:05 p.m. until 3:50 p.m. Students who serve after school detention will be responsible for their own transportation home. Students will be notified as least one day ahead of time prior to serving After School Detention. Students must receive prior permission from the office if they cannot attend an assigned detention. If permission is not obtained, the absence will be unexcused.

SATURDAY SCHOOL

Saturday school can be given by the teacher or administration for disciplinary problems that would not be serious enough for suspension or expulsion. Saturday school will be from 8:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Students who serve Saturday school will be responsible for their own transportation. Students will be notified at least one day ahead of time prior to serving Saturday school. Students must receive prior permission from the office if they cannot attend an assigned Saturday school. If permission is not obtained the absence will be unexcused.

STUDENT SURVEYS (RS-OC POLICY 9.11)

No student shall be required without prior written consent of the student’s parent or guardian, as part of any school program or curriculum which receives funds from the United States Department of Education, to submit to a survey, analysis, or evaluation in which the primary purpose is to reveal information concerning

LEGAL REFERENCE: WITHDRAWAL FROM SCHOOL [20 U.S.C. 1232h (b)]

There are a number of reasons why a student may find it necessary to withdraw from school. The main cause of student withdrawal is moving from one school district to another. When this becomes necessary, the parent or student should contact the principal’s office and discuss the matter as far in advance as possible.

Under Indiana law, any student who is at least sixteen (16) years of age but is not yet eighteen (18) years of age, may withdraw from school prior to graduation after an exit interview with the student’s parent/guardian is conducted with the appropriate school employee.

If withdrawal becomes necessary or desirable (due to other reasons such as problems of health, emergency home conditions, needing to work, etc.), then take the problem to your counselor. You will find the counselor most willing to listen, to understand and to help you choose the best solution possible.

In any case, withdrawal from school necessitates that certain things be done. No grades will be given or records transferred until the student meets all his/her responsibilities to the school.

Students who withdraw from school should return their books to the principal’s office in order to qualify for refund of textbook rental fees based upon bookstore policy.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ORGANIZATIONS

Clubs are available for students who wish to maintain memberships. Students joining clubs are expected to be working members of the organization(s). RSHS clubs consist of the following:

Most organizations meet Mondays for 30 minutes on a rotating basis approximately six times a year after school from 3:05 to 3:35 p.m.

Organizations may require members to pay annual dues, which vary from $1.50 to $6.00.

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

RSHS’s chapter of the National Honor Society encourages and promotes scholarship, leadership, service, and character. Sophomores through seniors with at least a B+ average may be considered for membership. Each year announcements are made concerning membership. It is the student’s responsibility to indicate his or her interest in being considered a member by completing an application for membership. Applications are available from the National Honor Society sponsor. The final determination of membership is based on total points and faculty recommendation after a review of each eligible student’s character, service, leadership, and scholarship. All members are evaluated each year and must maintain the high standards required by the NHS.

FIELD TRIPS

All field trips by organizations or classes must be approved by the principal.

All school-sponsored trips require that students submit to teacher or sponsor, by the deadline indicated, a properly completed permission slip signed by parent/guardian.

PERSONAL APPEARANCE AND DRESS

"Dress and appearance in good taste" should be the guideline for all RSHS students. Neat appearance and proper clothing indicate a good school attitude. Students whose appearance and actions disrupt the educational process; call undue attention to the individual; violate federal, state or local health and obscenity laws; or affect the welfare and safety of the student or his classmates will be contacted by the office and directed to dress in an appropriate manner.

Students that bring undue attention to themselves because of their appearance or clothing will be sent home to change or asked not to return until appearance is appropriate.

BOOK BAGS AND BACKPACKS

Book bags and backpacks are to be kept in a student’s locker. They are not to be taken into the classrooms.

ACCIDENTS OR ILLNESS

Students and teachers must report accidents which occur at any time during the school day or accidents which occur as a result of participation in extra-curricular activities.

Basic first aid will be administered to ill students; however, it may be determined that the student needs professional medical attention and/or emergency treatment. Within reason, depending upon the nature of the injury or illness, efforts will be made to contact the student’s parents/guardians or family doctor. If no contact can be made, school officials will make prudent decisions concerning the needs of the ill or injured students. In some instances it may be necessary to call the Rising Sun Emergency Unit to administer first aid and/or to transport the student to the Dearborn County Emergency Area.

The RSHS clinic is equipped to handle only minor accident victims, and the staff can do little to administer to the needs of ill students. The school does not have a full-time nurse on duty. Students will not be cared for in the clinic for extended periods of time. Because of this, it is important that students come to school knowing their parent’s telephone number at work, knowing their doctor’s name and number, and knowing the name and telephone number of an adult relative or adult friend of the family who would make decisions in the absence of parent/guardian and doctor. Students must not leave the building because of illness without authorization from the principal’s office.

INTERNET USE

While the major focus of this policy will address Internet access, this policy applies to all forms of information technology used in the schools and offices operated by the Rising Sun - Ohio County School Corporation. The school provides access to information technology and the Internet to further its educational goals and objectives. Parents should be aware that student account holders have the potential to access unacceptable material while using the Internet; however, the school's and school system's access guidelines are in place to prevent students from potentially accessing said material while in school. All use of the Internet should be consistent with the School’s goal of promoting education by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication. The terms and conditions are provided here so that users and parents are aware of the responsibilities that they are about to acquire. Permission for student Internet usage will be required prior to allowing a student to use the school’s resources.

Terms and Conditions

1. Acceptable Use - All persons accessing or using the Internet through the school’s connections and equipment, whether from a school location or from a remote location using school hardware, software and/or accounts, are prohibited from using such connections or equipment for anything other than educational purposes.

2. Privileges - Students and parents must understand that the provided Internet access is a privilege, not a right, and the administrative staff of the Rising Sun Ohio County School Corporation may deny, revoke, or suspend specific user accounts, accesses and privileges as a result of irresponsible or inappropriate behavior. The administrative staff will make all decisions regarding whether or not a user has violated this authorization and his or her decision is final. Electronic communications, downloaded material and /or other information obtained or transmitted via the Internet may be monitored or read by school officials.

Unacceptable Use – Users are responsible for their actions and activities involving the network. Users need to familiarize themselves with these responsibilities. Failure to adhere to them will result in the loss of network use privileges. Examples of unacceptable uses are:

Network Etiquette – Users are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. Users have full responsibility to use the network in an ethical and educational manner. Profanity or obscenity will not be tolerated on the school’s network. All users should use language appropriate for school situations as indicated by school codes of conduct.

Security – Network security is a high priority. If a user identifies a security problem, please notify the system administrator or principal right away. Do not demonstrate the problem to others. Never share your password or account with anyone. Keep your account and password confidential. You have full responsibility for the use of your account. All violation of this policy that can be traced to an individual account will be treated as the sole responsibility of the owner of that account. Do not use another user’s account and password to logon. Attempts to logon to the network as system administrator will result in cancellation of user privileges. Any user identified as a security risk may be denied access to the network. No foreign or personal floppy disks or CD’s are permitted without permission from administration.

Vandalism – Vandalism will result in cancellation of privileges and other disciplinary action. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy hardware or data for another use. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses.

Personal Safety –

This document will remain in effect for each student’s educational experience at Rising Sun Ohio County Schools. Permission to use can be withdrawn by parent or guardian.

VISITORS

Students are discouraged from bringing or inviting guests to school during the school day or during lunch break. Permission to do so may be granted by the principal or his designee. Students may not bring visitors under school age. The principal must be notified in advance of student exchange programs. All visitors must report to the principal’s office. Parents or guardians are encouraged to telephone for appointments.

HONOR ROLL

"A" Honor Roll – indicates those students who received all A’s on their report cards for the nine week grading period and/or for the semester.

"A/B" Honor Roll – indicates those students who received all A’s or B’s on their report cards for the nine week grading period and/or for the semester.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Absence is the principal cause of failure in school activities. Parents and students together have a responsibility to see that needless absence does not occur. Punctuality and regular attendance reflect success in the classroom and on the job. A careful record of attendance is maintained in our school. Attendance becomes part of the permanent record of every student

The following regulations will govern attendance of all students of Rising Sun High School.

REPORTING ABSENCES

For any absence, the parent/guardian should call the school office on the day of the absence. If this is not possible, then a phone call or written note signed by the parent/guardian stating the date of and reason for the absence must be received by the attendance office by 9:00 A.M. on the day the student returns to school. If neither the phone call nor the note is received, the absence will be recorded as unexcused.

EXCUSED ABSENCES

The following absences are excused. A student may be absent from school for:

The Rising Sun High School administration strongly discourages vacations during the regular school year. If a student is required to attend a vacation with his/her family, all of the following criteria must be met in order for the absences to be excused:

A student who is absent for more than half of a school day may not participate in or attend school athletic practices or events or other extracurricular activities on the day of the absence without administration approval.

A student will not be counted absent from school for

UNEXCUSED ABSENCES

 

Absences are unexcused for the following reasons:

Students will not receive class credit for work or tests that are missed due to unexcused absence. A student who has an unexcused absence for any part of a school day may not be allowed to participate in athletic practices or events or other extracurricular activities on that day. Students are responsible for documenting an excused absence through a note or phone call from a parent or doctor before participating in or attending athletic or extracurricular activities. Failure to follow this policy can result in expulsion from the activity on that day and/or further disciplinary action.

EXCESSIVE ABSENCES

Any student missing more than eight periods of any class during a semester will fail the class for the semester unless the time is made up after school or during Saturday school. A student may make up a maximum of eight absences from a class. This allows a maximum of sixteen absences per class per semester before the student loses the opportunity to earn credit for the class. All absences, excused and unexcused (excluding suspension and juvenile detention), apply to the maximum number of allowed absences.

Excessive excused absences would be reason for school officials to request a medical statement from a physician explaining the necessity and estimated duration of the absence.

An attendance officer may contact a parent/guardian if tardiness becomes a habitual trait or if the student is absent without school officials knowing the reason for an absence.

If a student has a serious medical condition or extenuating circumstance which makes it impossible for him or her to adhere to the attendance policy, the student and parent/guardian may submit a request for an attendance waiver to the school attendance panel. A parent or guardian may obtain an attendance waiver form through a conference with the school attendance officer. Attendance waivers will be considered on a case-by-case basis and granted only in circumstances where the student and parent/guardian have done everything possible to maintain regular school attendance. An attendance waiver in some cases may grant permission to make up more absences, allow attendance for part of school day, or extend the number of absences allowed.

A student who misses more than half of a class period (including time spent in the sick room) is considered absent from class for one session unless the student has an admittance pass from the office or another teacher. The attendance officer is the final authority for whether or not students were in attendance during any class period for any particular day.

Students with excessive absences in one or more of their classes may not attend field trips including senior trip or make college visits until absences are made up.

Students who have lost the ability to earn credit in a class due to excessive absences are still required to attend and participate in class and follow all class rules. Continued unexcused absences will be considered truancy and will be disciplined as such. Students who have accumulated excessive absences in three or more classes and refuse to make them up or who refuse to follow class rules in these classes may be expelled for the remainder of the semester.

MAKE UP SESSIONS FOR ABSENCES

PREPARING FOR AFTER SCHOOL SUCCESS (PASS)

Students may have the opportunity to make up time in which they were absent from class in PASS sessions scheduled at the discretion of the administration after school and/or on Saturday mornings. In order to earn a passing grade and credit for a semester a student must make up all eligible excessive absences as soon as possible and before the end of the semester unless a waiver is granted by the principal or his designee.

Students are responsible for keeping track of their absences by communicating with each classroom teacher. A student may not bank time or make up for absences before they occur.

Students making up time after school or on Saturdays must abide by the following rules:

HABITUAL TRUANT

A student is considered a habitual truant upon the third absence from school in which the

parent is unaware of the student’s absence.

MAKE UP WORK

Upon return to school, it is the student’s responsibility to request make up work, which must be completed within the same number of days which the student has missed. Students are advised that a test or quiz, written or oral, taken as make up upon return to school, may not be identical to the one which the student missed. It may not even be the same type of test. Students with unexcused absences or students who have been suspended out of school have no make up privileges.

HOMEWORK REQUEST

A request from a student or parent for homework must be accompanied by a statement or phone call giving the reason for the absence. Requests must be made in the principal’s office and must be received by 8:30 A.M. Assignments will then be available by 3:30 P.M. on the day after the request has been made. Students are advised that teachers will submit general homework assignments, none in detail. In addition, a student must complete homework assignments and have them returned to the teachers for grading before additional homework assignments will be sent home. This helps to assure the teacher that the assignments are being completed by the student, and that they are being done correctly. No tests or daily quizzes will be sent home as homework.

PERFECT ATTENDANCE

Certificates will be issued to students who were not absent or tardy for the morning or afternoon classes.

EXCELLENT ATTENDANCE

Certificates will be issued to students who had no more than four tardies or days of absence combined.

STUDENT TARDINESS TO CLASS

A student will be allowed four tradies to class each grading period. After the fourth tardy to any class by a student the following action will be taken:

TEACHER/PARENT CONFERENCES

Teachers may request parents to visit the school, and parents may request to meet with teachers. Conferences will be scheduled during school hours at a time when the teacher is not assigned to a classroom or immediately before or after school hours on any school day.

Parents should call the principal’s office to make arrangements with the secretary for a conference.

FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT

A copy of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act is on file in the principal’s office and may be viewed at any time upon request. The Corporation will follow the guidelines set forth by the act.

Any student or parent of students who does not wish to have specific information, such as, honor roll listing, statistics for sports events or results of music contest, etc. published may request the school to withhold the information. The information will then be kept from all news sources including local school publications.

NEWS

Daily announcements concerning extra-curricular organizations and their business must be approved by sponsor’s signature prior to being presented in the office.

Newspaper releases must be approved by sponsor, and they must be presented in the office for approval and release to publisher. The deadline for receiving material for weekly publication at the local news office is available upon request in the high school office.

SELLING OF GOODS AND POSTING OF SIGNS

All items sold at RSHS must have the expressed permission of the principal or his designate. Signs and sales that affect the school or a school organization must be scheduled and given a calendar date. All sales that are attributed to profit-making organizations not connected in any manner with RSHS or the School Corporation are prohibited.

Any items sold at RSHS by class groups or extra-curricular groups must follow guidelines set forth by the Rising Sun-Ohio County Community School Corporation.

STUDENTS OF THE MONTH

Each month a student from each grade level is selected. Selection is based on the following factors:

Teachers nominate a student from each class level, and the student with the most nominations is selected as student of the month.

CLASS OFFICERS

Any student interested in being a class officer is eligible to run for a class office. Each spring elections are held for the following year. Students need to sign up for the office that they would like to hold and be willing to meet the obligations of that office.

STUDENT COUNCIL

Rising Sun students interested in being a part of Student Council can be elected or work-on to the Council. Serving on Student Council is a very rewarding and valuable experience, but is also a commitment and a lot of hard work. The following are expectations of all Student Council members.

If you have any questions about the RSHS Student Council, contact the Student Council sponsor.

PEST CONTROL POLICY

The school corporation is committed to providing students a safe environment. It seeks to prevent children from being exposed to pests and pesticides. While pesticides protect children from pests that may be found in the school and its surrounding grounds, under some circumstances they may pose a hazard to children. Therefore, pest control practices may involve a variety of chemical and non-chemical methods that are designed to control pests effectively while minimizing potential exposure to children.

The corporation will

The corporation will provide notice at least two school days prior to the date and time the pesticide application is to occur. The notice will include the date and time of the pesticide application, the general area where the pesticide is to be applied, and the telephone number to contact the school for more information.

In case of emergency pesticide applications because of the immediate threat to the public health, the school shall give written notice as soon as possible.