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Attendance Policy, Granduation Requirements and General School Rules

DAILY ATTENDANCE POLICY

Excellent attendance is expected of all students. In high school a student develops patterns, these patterns have a direct bearing on a student’s performance in post secondary education and in the work force. Students should strive not to establish a poor attendance pattern that ultimately may impair them in the future. School attendance is the responsibility of the student and the parent/guardian.
Any pupil...who is absent from school without valid excuse more than three days or tardy in excess of 30 minutes on each or more than three days in one school year is a truant...Ed Code 48260.
Students are to be aware that there are only five (5) excusable reasons for missing school. They are:

1. Illness
2. Quarantine under direction of a county or city health officer
3. *Medical, dental, optometrists or chiropractic services
4. Attending funeral services of member of his/her immediate family...no more than one day in California and no more than three days outside California.
5. Jury duty.

* School Policy requires that a student bring a signed note from the practitioner indicating the time and duration of the appointment.

All other absences are “unexcused” or fall under the category of a “cut” (see Cut Policy).
On days that a student is ill, or not able to attend school, a parent/guardian should call the 24-hour attendance line (787-3405 ext. 3) to report the reason for the absence.
Please note, absences must be cleared within 48 hours of a student’s return to classes. Any absence not cleared will be assigned as a “cut”. The Attendance Secretary is available from 7:30AM until the first bell. Any student who willfully waits until the last minute to clear an absence will be given an “unexcused tardy”.

OFF CAMPUS PASSES

For your safety and to maintain the academic integrity of the school, Esparto High School maintains a “closed campus” except during the lunch period. If a student should have to leave the campus during the school day for any reason other than lunch, the student MUST first report to the Attendance Office with a verification of the reason for leaving campus. The student will be issued an “Off-Campus” pass. This pass must be returned to the Attendance Office when the student returns to campus. Failure to check in or out will result in the student receiving a “cut” for all classes missed.

BRUNCH - LUNCH

There is a ten-minute mid-morning snack period for refreshments. Students may purchase snacks from the snack bar or cafeteria. Students may NOT leave campus during this time. Students are expected to remain in the “commons area” and not wander off to secluded areas of the school. The school parking lot is off-limits at this time.

Esparto High School enjoys an open campus at lunch. Students may purchase a nutritious lunch from the cafeteria, bring a lunch from home, patronize the snack bar or local stores selling food items. It should be noted that during lunch all students remain under the direction of the school. Reports of vandalism, theft, visits to other district schools, etc., could result in the loss of the off-campus privilege. Students may NOT leave the Esparto community.

GENERAL CAMPUS RULES OF ESPARTO HIGH SCHOOL

1. Students will not be out of class without a valid pass during the class period.
2. Students will not ride their moped, bicycles, skateboards, roller blades, etc. on campus.
3. Students will not bring radios, tape players, CD player’s, Frisbees, laser pointers, etc. on campus without permission.
4. Students who have less than a full class schedule shall leave campus immediately after their last class.
5. Students will maintain a clean campus at all times. Littering will not be tolerated.

ESPARTO HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

To obtain a diploma of graduation from high school, students shall complete at least the following courses in grade 9 through 12, with each course being one year unless otherwise specified. (Education Code 51225.3)
Subject Credits

Language Arts

10- Intro to Literature
10-World Literature
10-American Literature
10-English Electives

Mathematics

20- Including Algebra beginning with the class of 2004, and Geometry beginning with the class of 2008.

P.E. 20

Science 20- Including Life and Physical Laboratory Science.

Social Science 10-World History
10-US History
10-Government/Econ

Arts 20 Credits in Foreign
Foreign Lang. Lang., Visual/Performing
Vocational Ed. Arts or Vocational Courses or 10 creits in 2 of the 3.

GRADUATION PARTICIPATION POLICY

To encourage regular attendance, student responsibility and adequate preparation for life after high school, the Esparto Unified School District Board approved a senior attendance policy.

Seniors who accumulate more than 40 period absences from the start of the second semester may lose the privilege of attending Prom, Senior Trip and Graduation Ceremony. Students, who are absent due to serious illness, must present a physician’s note to avoid losing these privileges. The intent is not to punish students who are seriously ill or have suffered a catastrophic illness/loss, but to only encourage behaviors that will promote student success in life after high school.

Seniors will not be eligible to participate in the Graduation ceremonies and Senior events, if any of the following occur during their senior year:

1. A senior receives more than two “F’s” in either first or second semester.

2. A senior receives more than one “F” grade going into their final exam second semester.

Parents: Please help us keep your student in school. Encourage their attendance. The state no longer recognizes excused absences, so when your student is absent, for any reason, it costs them in terms of their education and it costs the school in terms of funds for teachers, textbook, maintenance and security.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

Subject Requirements:

1. History - 2 years required (1 yr. Of US History or 1/2 yr of US History & 1/2 yr. Government and 1 yr. of World History)
2. English - 4 years of Compostion & Literature
3. Mathematics - 3 yrs. required, 4 recommended (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II).
4. Laboratory Science - 2 yrs. required in at least 2 of these 3 areas: Biology, Chemistry, Physics; 3 yrs. recommended.
5. Foreign Lang.- 2 yrs. required; three years recommended (min. of 2 yrs. in same lang.)
6. VPA - 1 yr. of UC approved Visual and Performing Arts required.
7. 1-2 yrs of advanced course work in one of the above areas (1-6).

Scholarship requirments:

In calculating an applicants G. P. A. for admission, the university will use only the grades from 10th & 11th grade, earned in the above requirments courses. See the counselor for details.

Exam Requirements:

1. SAT I (Scholastic Assesment Test) and/or ACT (American College Test) AND
2. Three SAT II

• English Composition
• Mathematics, Level 1C or IIC
• One test chosen from English Literature, Foreign Lang. Science or Social Science.

All testing is to be completed by December of the 12th grade for the UC universities and most 4 year colleges.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR PARTICIPATION

An extra-curricular activity is any activity in which a student performs or represents the school outside school hours or off campus. The grading policy for those who wish to participate in extra-curricular activities is as follows:

1. A student must maintain a 2.0 average in all academic grades.
2. A student new to the District shall be exempt from the 2.0 average until their first grading period in the District.
3. Summer school grades for exact course titles may be used as a direct substitute when recalculating the G.P.A. for the previous grading period.
4. A student participating in sports must meet C.I.F. standards in addition to the District standards.

For any student who wishes to participate in Spart-a-rama, that student must meet eligibility requirements at the end of the 3rd quarter. Students may not use their probation period solely for Spart-a-rama participation.

ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY POLICY

1. Grades will be checked at each quarter progress report and at each semester.
2. Students must have a minimum 2.0 GPA for the previous grading period.
3. Any student who does not meet the criteria above may use 1 probation period for their freshmen/sophomore years and one period for their junior/senior years.
4. Students who have 2 or more F’s are ineligible and may not use their probation period.
5. All students will have a probation period for the 2003-2004 school year.
   

A date will be set for each grade check when athletes will be eligible or ineligible. Students will sign a letter of intent to use their probation and a letter will be sent home. No athlete may practice when they are ineligible.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION DRESS

All Students enrolled in physical education are required to wear an Esparto High School P.E. uniform for the following reasons:
1. They save street clothes from perspiration, wear and tear.
2. They are less restrictive than street clothes and facilitate participation.
3. They are provided at a more affordable price than most quality durable active wear.
4. The staff can determine immediately who is enrolled in the class and who does not belong in the area.
Uniforms will be available at the student store. The P.E. teachers at the beginning of the school year will give more information to students.

DRESS & GROOMING CODE FOR STUDENTS

PHILOSOPHY

A committee of students, parents, and staff in accordance with California Education Code 35183 developed the dress code. The purpose of the dress code is to establish guidelines for student dress that promote a safe and productive learning environment. Parents, students and staff recognize that the responsibility of school is to prepare students for success in the world of work. The value of learning to dress and groom appropriately will enable students to adapt productively and responsibly to the demands and expectations of society. Students that are well dressed and neatly groomed will develop confidence in their ability to present themselves in a variety of social situations. Quality performance, with respect to a student’s dress and grooming, naturally contributes in a positive way to behavior. Students attending Esparto High School shall dress and groom for all school activities with emphasis on: neatness, safety, cleanliness, modesty, decency and personal and public health.

1. Clothing must be neat, clean, fit properly and be in good condition. Clothing must cover undergarments at all times, when sitting, standing, or bending over. Sagging of pants or excessively baggy pants will not be permitted. Pants that are more than two inches larger than the natural waistline are not permitted. Unhemmed pants and shorts or ragged and torn clothing is not acceptable. Clothing should be worn as it was designed to be worn. No oversized outerwear (i.e. trench coats) is allowed.
2. Esparto High School apparel, collegiate apparel, professional sports apparel such as T-shirts, sweatshirts, and jackets are permitted. Exceptions will be made for any clothing, which causes an intimidating or violent effect on campus, or clothing designating membership in non-school organizations, private clubs, or gangs. (This may include collegiate or professional attire, which represents groups who create an intimidating effect on campus.) Apparel representing community organizations may be worn upon approval of the school principal or designee.
3. No clothing style or articles of clothing including, but not limited to T-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, gloves, bandana, shoestrings, wristbands or jewelry related to a group or gang or which may provoke others to acts of violence shall be worn on campus or at any school activity. Gang related clothing and styles might vary from month to month. The administration reserves the right to make changes in dress code policy in response to changes in gang styles.
4. The wearing of hats, caps or head coverings is permitted on campus during school hours. Hats are not permitted in any school buildings during the school day. This includes, but is not limited to, baseball style caps, beanies, visors, scarves, or hairnets. When baseball caps are worn after hours or to school events, the bills must be worn forward. Stocking caps may be worn during inclement weather. Hats or head coverings because of recognized religious practices are acceptable on campus.
5. Initialed or monogrammed belts that do not represent the student’s first or last name may not be worn. Belts may not be worn more than 4 inches too long and may not hang down. Only one buckle may be worn.
6. No graffiti is allowed on clothing, belts, school supplies, or personal belongings used at school.
7. Safe footwear must be worn at all times. Footwear that creates a safety or health hazard is not permitted. Soft-soled slippers are not proper footwear at school.
8. Clothing, symbols, or accessories that suggest obscene gestures, pictures, wording, and/or drug, alcohol, tobacco, sexual, or occult related are not permitted.
9. Sunglasses may not be worn inside school buildings or classrooms.
10. Chains, of any kind, are not permitted, including chains from wallets. Rings, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, or chains of any type, which may be considered a safety hazard or used as a weapon, are not permitted.
11. Mesh may be worn over solid garments only. Cut-offs or clothes with holes that expose skin or undergarments are inappropriate.
12. The following are examples of inappropriate dress for school and will not be allowed on campus:
• Shirts that fail to cover the midriff open back or open side shirts or dresses, or crop tops.
• Tight, stretch or spandex pants or shorts worn without a shirt or sweater that covers to at least mid-thigh.
• Strapless, backless, and low cut tops or dresses.
• Swimsuits or other swim wear.
• Short shorts – (including cut-offs; must cover undergarments at all times when standing, sitting, or bending over)
• Sheer clothing is prohibited.
• No spaghetti straps. Clothing must cover undergarments at all times.
13. Cut-off shorts or pants that are not hemmed properly. No frayed clothing.

Anything not specifically covered in above rules and regulations that are disruptive to the educational process or presents a safety hazard will be left to the discretion of the school administration or designee. Any deviation from this policy must have written approval from Administration.

If a teacher has students enrolled in class and the teacher feels their manner of dress and grooming is disruptive to the educational process, he/she may suspend the student from the class for the day. It will be the responsibility of all school employees and parents to enforce the code. A committee composed of administrators, teachers, parents, and students, then presented to the Board of Trustees, will review this code annually. Students in violation of the dress and grooming code will be referred to the Principal or designee.