Table of contents introduction

Telephones

Telephones are a part of the telecommunications network and are considered as part of the system resources. The same procedures and regulations therefore apply, as govern other electronic media.

Privacy

Users of the LCSS network should be aware that information accessed, created, sent, received, or stored on the network is not private and is subject to be reviewed by network and school administrators. The District reserves the right to access and monitor all messages and files on the LCSS network.

The following behaviors are NOT permitted on the district network or machines:

Staff & Students

• 
  Hotmail and other e-mail clients and accounts shall not be accessed from the Laurel County network. If accessed via the Live@edu connection capabilities, those accounts become owned by the LCSS and are privy to all LCBOE policies and the LCBOE AUP.
  
• 
  Sending or displaying offensive messages or pictures (this includes profanity, nudity, pornography, vulgarity, racism) or harassing or insulting messages. Depending on the nature or content, disciplinary action may be taken, and these may also be reported to Law Enforcement.
  
• 
  Engaging in practices that threaten the network (ie…loading files that may introduce a virus or File Sharing software such as Swaptor, Direct Connect WinMX Napster, eDonkey 2000, Filetopia, etc...) The preceding list is by no means exhaustive or complete.
  
• 
  Violating copyright laws
  
• 
  Trespassing in others folders, documents, or files or using others’ passwords
  
• 
  Intentionally wasting limited resources
  
• 
  Using the network for commercial purposes, i.e.… advertising a product or selling a product to make money such as a jewelry party, Avon orders, Mary Kay parties, food parties, etc… anything that generates income for an individual is prohibited. The purchasing of goods for personal use is also prohibited.
  
• 
  Promoting or campaigning for individuals or political parties or soliciting contributions to a political campaign, party or issue
  
• 
  Shall not violate any Federal or State regulations
  
• 
  Purposely bypassing the proxy server
  
• 
  General audio and visual streaming/ download/rip any music to store on computers network
  
• 
  Stream music or radio
  
• 
  Accessing sites to online chat rooms or software that enables online posting and receiving of real-time messages i.e.…Yahoo Instant Messenger. Although the Live@edu email client has instant messaging capabilities, instant messaging is PROHIBITED by the LCSS and its AUP.
  
• 
  sending electronic messages anonymously
  
• 
  sending electronic messages using another person’s name or account
  
• 
  Accessing/playing MUD (multi-user games) via the network or any non-educational computer game whether online CD, flash drive, etc…
  
• 
  sending mass emails (district wide emails) for non school related purposes
  
• 
  Accessing online communities such as MySpace, Facebook, etc…
  
• 
  access gambling sites
  
• 
  cyber bullying is bullying
  
• 
  Personal Electronic Devices, such as, but not limited to, cell phones, iPads, Tablets, iPods, or other personally owned electronic devices, are not to be utilized to access the Internet, personal email accounts, social networking sites such as MySpace, Facebook, or Twitter, or Instant Messaging, during the school day. Doing so is a direct violation of the LCSS AUP, KY SB 230, and the Child Internet Protection Act.
  
• 
  PDAs, Blackberries, or Laptops that are brought into the LCSS with a LAN card shall not be used during the school day to access the Internet. Only computers accessing the LCCS network shall be used for accessing the Internet.
  
• 
  Staff Laptops: Staff is responsible for their laptops when taking them home. Laptops are for professional use and should be treated as such. Staff members’ laptops shall not be used as a home computer for other family members; keep in mind that student records are contained within your laptop.
  
• 
  Telephone/Cell-Phone: Phone usage shall be planned to occur during your Planning period when you are not responsible for students.
  
• 
  When taking students into a lab setting or allowing students on computers in a classroom, staff shall always provide adequate supervision.
  

ATHLETIC PARTICIPATION POLICY

Effective October 15, 2008, any student athlete who chooses to quit a sport after the first official practice may not participate in any capacity in another sport until the sport he/she quit is over. In a sport in which tryouts are required to make a team, the first official practice would be the first practice after the student athlete has earned a spot on the team. As outlined in the KHSAA guidelines, the first official practice dates are listed below.

Sport Official Practice Date

Football July 15 (No tryouts)

Soccer (Boys & Girls) July 15 (First official practice after tryouts)

Cross Country (Boys &Girls) July 15 (No tryouts)

Golf (Boys & Girls) July 15 (No tryouts)

Volleyball July 15 (First official practice after tryouts)

Basketball (Boys &Girls) October 15 (First official practice after tryouts)

Track (Boys & Girls) December 1 (First official practice after tryouts)

Baseball February 15 (First official practice after tryouts)

Softball February 15 (First official practice after tryouts)

Tennis February 15 (First official practice after tryouts)

ATTENDANCE POLICY – See Student Code of Acceptable Conduct
CELL PHONE POLICY

While cell phones may be appropriate for use during extracurricular activities, they are not appropriate for use during the school day. Ringing phones, text messaging and phone photography are disruptive to the instructional environment. While on school property during the instructional day (8:15 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.), students shall be permitted to possess personal communication devices/electronic devices given the following guidelines:

1. 
   Students should secure a cell phone in a purse, pocket or locker and the phone should be turned off. Placing the phone on silent/vibrate is not acceptable. “Forgetting” to turn off the cell phone is not an excuse.
   
2. 
   Devices may only be used before and after the instructional day (8:15 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.) with the exception of permissible use in the cafeteria during a student’s designated lunch period (this does not include the trip to or from the cafeteria—devices seen en route will be confiscated.
   
3. 
   Students are responsible for keeping up with devices they bring to school. North Laurel High School faculty and staff are not responsible for loss, theft, or destruction of devices brought onto school property.
   
4. 
   Students shall not utilize a telecommunication or similar electronic device in a manner that would violate the district’s Acceptable Use Policy.
   
5. 
   Any student who refuses to surrender a telecommunications device (cell phone) when instructed by a member of the school staff will be suspended.
   

Any use of other cell phones during school hours or inappropriate use while on school property will result in the following disciplinary action:

1^st Offense:	Confiscation; phone returned to the student at the end of the school day.
2^nd Offense:	Confiscation and phone returned to the parent at the end of the school day
3^rd Offense:	Confiscation and phone returned to the parent at the end of the 5^th school day.

Repeated and subsequent violations of this policy will result in stricter discipline measures and the confiscation of the phone for the remainder of the school year.

Please return the bottom portion of this form to your JAGS Teacher.

NLHS CELL PHONE POLICY
JAGS Teacher______________________________________ Grade________________
We, the undersigned, acknowledge that we have received and read this addendum to the North Laurel High School Handbook.
_______________________________________________________________________

Student’s Name (Print)

Student’s Signature Date

Parent’s Signature Date

CREDIT REQUIREMENT SCALE POLICY

CREDIT REQUIREMENT SCALE
	Class of 2013	Class of 2014	Class of 2015	Class of 2016
To Graduate	27	27	27	27
To be a Senior	19	19	19	19
To be a Junior	13	13	13	13
To be a Sophomore	6	6	6	6

This scale has been used in transition from a seven-period to a five period day.

Students transferring to NLHS from an alternate schedule, block schedule, will have credits pro-rated accordingly, either up or down.
A copy of the Laurel County Schools Honor Diploma Student Checklist is on page 41 of this handbook.
DUAL CREDIT POLICY

It is the mission of North Laurel High School to assist students to attain the highest level of academic excellence. With this thought in mind, we recommend that the council approve the following policy regarding the awarding of dual credit for students who wish to enroll in college classes offered by Somerset Community College and at Eastern Kentucky University through the EKU NOW! program.

Students wishing to enroll in college courses taught at the Laurel County campus of Somerset Community College, or of Eastern Kentucky University, may do so, and may earn credit both at the college and North Laurel High School, if they meet the following criteria:

• 
  Student has fulfilled all required credits for graduation
  
• 
  Student must have written permission from parent/guardian to participate
  
• 
  Student can provide own transportation to and from the college campus
  
• 
  Student can enroll in a maximum of six hours of college course work (2 credits at NLHS)
  

Additionally, the following restrictions will apply:

• 
  Course must reflect the Kentucky Academic Expectations for that subject (reflected in course syllabus)
  
• 
  The district Letter of Assurances for the Program of Studies
  (submitted annually to KDE) must reflect the dual credit policy
  

By adhering to these provisions, students may earn both college hours and high school credit while still enrolled at NLHS. This is an advantage for juniors and seniors who have earned all required credits, who may otherwise have to enroll in high school classes not reflected in their Individual Graduation Plan. The school can continue to receive funding for these students, to prevent any reduction of programs or resources.

NLHS students who are admitted to the EKU Now! Dual Credit program will be allowed to take one course at no cost. High school seniors may take a 2^nd course each semester, at no cost, if they have a composite ACT score of 24 or higher at the time of application to the program. If the high school senior has an ACT score of 21 – 23 at the time of the application to the program, the 2nd course will cost 50% of the current in-state tuition rate. (Sophomores are expected to accumulate at least 12 credits to take EKU courses as a Junior) (Juniors are expected to accumulate at least 18 credits to take EKU courses as a Senior)
Attendance Percentage: Expected to be at least 95% for the current year. Students are expected to maintain a 95% attendance rate to remain in the program. Students must attend EKU dual credit course(s) even if NLHS is not in session.
EKU Dual Credit students are responsible for purchasing textbooks needed for EKU courses, parking permits, associated course fees, and transportation to the EKU course site. Enrollment in an EKU course through EKU Now! establishes an academic history at EKU and any financial obligation while on campus (e.g. unpaid parking tickets, unpaid fines, etc.) will result in a hold on any further activity, such as enrollment in classes or receipt of transcripts, until such obligations are met.
Because the course is offered for dual credit, the course grade(s) from each EKU Dual Credit course will be included in both high school and college GPA calculations. The grades will not be weighted. The grades from the college course(s) will appear on the student’s high school transcript as well as the student’s college transcript. The coursework from EKU will begin the student’s college transcript and will impact KEES Scholarship amount totals. Each EKU dual credit course will be awarded one high school credit.
Students must receive permission from the high school principal before attempting to drop any EKU Dual Credit course. Participation in the dual credit program and adjustments to high school schedules must be approved by the high school principal.
NLHS seniors may be released 5^th period to attend the EKU dual credit course, if the EKU course meets during that time period. Seniors enrolled in evening EKU courses will not be allowed early release time from NLHS. Juniors must pursue evening EKU dual credit courses and will not be granted early release time from school. Seniors who have been granted early release time must report to NLHS on days that the EKU course is not scheduled to meet. Early release seniors will be assigned to work as a NLHS teacher’s aide on days that the EKU course does not meet.

** Adopted by NLHS Site Based Council March 2000

**Amended by NLHS SBDM Council – March 2011

CREDIT RECOVERY POLICY
Goal and Requirement of the Program: The Laurel County Public Schools will assist, encourage, plan, support, and implement procedures in collaboration with the student and family to ensure that all at-risk students have the opportunity to achieve optimum educational outcomes. Students who are at-risk of dropping out of school because of being unsuccessful in classes, but who have completed at least 60 hours for a half-credit or 120 hours for a full credit of instruction in a course, will qualify for “credit recovery” status. Although the time requirement is fulfilled, they must now master the content. There is no set number of hours they must spend in credit recovery for mastery. Most credit recovery courses will be completed on the computer; however, there will be two one-half credit electives and an Earth Science full credit available which will be course content modules developed by North Laurel High School teachers. Credit Recovery will be offered after school hours using the COMPASS educational web-based computer software.
Student Transcript and Grades: Students will demonstrate mastery by scoring 80% or above on all of the modules selected for a specific course plus any writing, open responses, or novels not completed during the regular class. A student will also have to make an 70% on the semester final for the class they are trying to recover. A student will receive a grade of 80 (C+) and credit for the course on their transcript. It will be figured into the student’s GPA and it will impact the student’s high school athletic eligibility. A previous course grade of “F” will remain on the student’s transcript. Students may earn the number of credits needed to reach grade level in order to graduate in four years.
Course Offered: English I English III

English II English IV

Algebra I Geometry

Data & Measurement Algebra II

Integrated Science I Earth Science (teacher made)

Integrated Science II

Integrated Social St. I U. S. History

Integrated Social St. II

Consumer Education (1/2 credit - teacher made)

Health (1/2 credit - teacher made)

Course Completion Requirement: Students and parents will sign a contract agreeing to the terms of the credit recovery program. Students who begin a course during the school year will have until the end of summer school of that school year to complete the course. Students who begin a course during summer school will have until the end of the first semester of the following school year to complete the course.

Attendance: Since the COMPASS program is web-based, some of the work could be completed at home if a student has appropriate internet access. However, all quizzes, chapter tests, and end-of-course tests must be completed in the credit recovery lab after school hours. Appointments are for two hours time slots. There will be an instructional assistant and a classroom teacher in the lab each afternoon. Days will be subject specific so that students can receive help from teachers if they are struggling with specific concepts. The lab will be open from 3:30 – 5:30 Monday through Thursday each week and some selected Fridays.

Deadline for completion: All work in credit recovery, including odyssey writers, portfolio pieces, research papers and novel tests must be completed one calendar week prior to the end of school in order to participate in the graduation ceremony.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ELIGIBILITY

1. 
   Any student who fails to achieve a 2.0 average for any nine weeks grading period will be suspended from ALL extra-curricular activities for a period of ten school days beginning the day after such grades become available to the sponsor/coach of the extra-curricular activity. During this time the student will be banned from ANY and ALL activities, including practice sessions and trips. If he/she has achieved a cumulative 2.0 average at the end of ten days, the student will be allowed to resume full participation in his/her extra-curricular activities. If the student has not achieved a cumulative 2.0 average by the end of the tenth school day, however, that student will be banned from all participation in extra-curricular activities for the remainder of the nine weeks grading period.
   
2. 
   If the student regains a cumulative 2.0 average at the end of the ten days and fails to achieve a 2.0 average by the end of the nine weeks, that student will be suspended from participation in all extra-curricular activities for the following full nine weeks grading period, without any other probationary period.
   
3. 
   Any student who fails to achieve a 2.0 average during the fourth nine weeks of school will be allowed to participate in all extra-curricular activities held during the summer vacation. The student will be suspended, however, from extra-curricular activities for the first ten days of school at the beginning of the next school year. His/her scholastic average will then be evaluated by the same process as above described.
   
4. 
   Teachers of all students placed on the ten day probation, shall, at the end of the probationary, meet with the Academic Eligibility Committee (three teachers, one counselor, Athletic Director, and Principal). The committee and the teachers of the probated student will determine the extra-curricular eligibility status of the student in question at the time of the committee meeting.
   
5. 
   No student shall be granted more than one (1) ten day probationary period in high school (9-12 grades).
   
6. 
   The school principal shall be responsible for the implementation of this policy.
   

POINTS TO REMEMBER: The student must make a written request to the principal to appear before the Academic Eligibility Committee. The coach/sponsor must gather the grades and check eligibility.
FINAL EXAM EXEMPTION POLICY

With the change in the accountability and assessment system for the state of Kentucky which includes end-of-course exams, North Laurel High School does not offer final exam exemptions.
FINAL EXAM POLICY

Final Exams are an important part of high school, and it is important for parents and students to prepare adequately. A final exam policy will ensure that all classes in a particular subject are teaching the critical core content, and that students are truly learning what they need to know.

All students are required to take final examinations at the end of each semester. The examination grade shall be used to calculate the student’s final grade for the semester. Beginning with the 2011-2012 school year, the final examination grade will be 10% of the student’s final grade for the semester.
A syllabus will be given to each student with the content to be covered in each class, the grading system, and the responsibility of the student included.
**Amendment adopted by NLHS SBDM Council July 2011

**Amendment adopted by NLHS SBDM Council November 2004.

**Amendment adopted by NLHS SBDM Council December 1999.

** Adopted by NLHS SBDM Council February 1999

GANG ACTIVITY POLICY

Any activity related to gangs or gang membership is prohibited. Signs, symbols, graffiti or the wearing of any apparel that is consistent with gang association is prohibited at North Laurel High School. The Administration may make the name of any student found in violation of this policy available to the local police department, sheriff, or State Police.

GRADUATION CEREMONY POLICY

Graduation is a formal ceremony which is conducted with dignity and respect. Therefore, graduates will not be allowed to put notes or signs on their graduation caps or wear buttons, corsages, etc. on their gowns. This includes wrist corsages. All students walking the graduation line at North Laurel High School will wear the assigned cap and gown. In keeping with the dignity and solemnity of the occasion, the only embellishments will be the assigned identifying stole and tassel, and the assigned symbols (cords, tassels, patches) of the following national honor organizations—Beta Club, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Future Farmers of American, and National Art Honor Society.

Girls will wear skirts or dresses and comfortable shoes, NO shorts, pants, tennis shoes or sunglasses. Boys will wear pants, dress shirt, dress shoes or dress boots, NO shorts, jeans, tennis shoes or sunglasses. Any student who needs help obtaining the appropriate clothing items can contact the Youth Service Center for assistance.

Students will not be allowed to walk the line at graduation if they are late or absent to graduation practice. Walking the line at graduation is a PRIVILEGE, not a RIGHT!

Those students who have deceased, during while enrolled as students at North Laurel High School, will be honored by placing an empty chair in the graduation row along with a single, red rose and there name will be read in the appropriate spot in the procession and a moment of silence will be observed. An honorary diploma will be presented to the family after the ceremony.