Ballard High School Freshman Orientation 2012/2013 WelcomeParents!

Attendance Regular attendance at school is a prerequisite for academic success. Regular attendance at school is a prerequisite for academic success. All students at Ballard High School are expected to be present in their classes every school day unless legally absent for the following valid reasons in accordance with Kentucky State Law: All students at Ballard High School are expected to be present in their classes every school day unless legally absent for the following valid reasons in accordance with Kentucky State Law: death in the immediate family death in the immediate family illness of the student illness of the student quarantine quarantine court summons court summons work or school activity approved by school work or school activity approved by school observance of a religious holiday observance of a religious holiday state emergency state emergency suspension suspension Educational leave forms are available in the attendance office and can be filled out and turned in to the principal for consideration. Educational leave forms are available in the attendance office and can be filled out and turned in to the principal for consideration.

Attendance When absent: When absent: Parent/guardian should notify the school in the morning by calling the attendance office at Parent/guardian should notify the school in the morning by calling the attendance office at Students are to provide a suitable note explaining their absence within 48 hours of their return to school. Students are to provide a suitable note explaining their absence within 48 hours of their return to school. Notes must include the signature of the parent/guardians and a telephone number at which they may be reached. Notes must include the signature of the parent/guardians and a telephone number at which they may be reached. Class participation grades are adversely affected by a student’s absence. Class participation grades are adversely affected by a student’s absence. Excessive absences or cuts may result in the loss of the right to participate in athletics and co-curricular functions. Excessive absences or cuts may result in the loss of the right to participate in athletics and co-curricular functions. THERE IS NEVER A TIME DURING THE REGULAR SCHOOL TERM WHEN A STUDENT “DOES NOT HAVE TO GO TO SCHOOL” WITHOUT FOLLOWING JCPS ATTENDANCE POLICIES. THERE IS NEVER A TIME DURING THE REGULAR SCHOOL TERM WHEN A STUDENT “DOES NOT HAVE TO GO TO SCHOOL” WITHOUT FOLLOWING JCPS ATTENDANCE POLICIES.

Dress Code Shorts & skirts must be knee length and worn at waist level covering undergarments. (NO SAGGING) Shorts & skirts must be knee length and worn at waist level covering undergarments. (NO SAGGING) Clothing that is exceedingly tight is not permitted Clothing that is exceedingly tight is not permitted Sleeveless shirts, low cut blouses, pajamas and blankets are not permitted. Sleeveless shirts, low cut blouses, pajamas and blankets are not permitted. Clothing that exposes shoulders, midriff, or cleavage is not permitted. Clothing that exposes shoulders, midriff, or cleavage is not permitted. Ripped or torn garments exposing bare skin are not permissible. See-through garments (mesh, net) are unacceptable. Ripped or torn garments exposing bare skin are not permissible. See-through garments (mesh, net) are unacceptable. Hats and headwear, with or without bills, including wave caps, sweatbands, bandanas, and scarves are not to be worn and will be confiscated if not corrected. Hats and headwear, with or without bills, including wave caps, sweatbands, bandanas, and scarves are not to be worn and will be confiscated if not corrected. Sunglasses are not permitted. Sunglasses are not permitted. Shoes must be worn at all times. House shoes and slippers are not permitted. Shoes must be worn at all times. House shoes and slippers are not permitted. Clothing with messages about, or advertisements for tobacco products, alcohol, drugs, weapons, sexually suggestive material, violent material or any other material of an offensive nature may not be worn during the school day or at school functions. Items from other high schools, with their names or symbols, are not permitted. Clothing with messages about, or advertisements for tobacco products, alcohol, drugs, weapons, sexually suggestive material, violent material or any other material of an offensive nature may not be worn during the school day or at school functions. Items from other high schools, with their names or symbols, are not permitted. Any other issues not addressed above that are considered to be inappropriate, distracting or disruptive will be handled at the discretion of the administrators. Any other issues not addressed above that are considered to be inappropriate, distracting or disruptive will be handled at the discretion of the administrators. Students violating the dress code will be given an opportunity to correct the infraction, and/or be removed from the regular classroom until the violation is corrected. Repeated violations will result in school-level consequences, to be determined by school administrators. Students violating the dress code will be given an opportunity to correct the infraction, and/or be removed from the regular classroom until the violation is corrected. Repeated violations will result in school-level consequences, to be determined by school administrators.

Tardy Policy ALL UNEXCUSED TARDIES TO SCHOOL AND CLASSES RESULT IN DETENTION ALL UNEXCUSED TARDIES TO SCHOOL AND CLASSES RESULT IN DETENTION DETENTION IS AFTER SCHOOL MONDAY – THURSDAY. DETENTION IS AFTER SCHOOL MONDAY – THURSDAY. FAILURE TO ATTEND WILL RESULT IN SATURDAY SCHOOL. FAILURE TO ATTEND WILL RESULT IN SATURDAY SCHOOL. EXCESSIVE TARDIES WILL RESULT IN A STOP ASSIGNMENT OR SATURDAY SCHOOL IN LIEU OF DETENTION. EXCESSIVE TARDIES WILL RESULT IN A STOP ASSIGNMENT OR SATURDAY SCHOOL IN LIEU OF DETENTION. FAILURE TO ATTEND SATURDAY SCHOOL WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL, OR A VALID EXCUSE WILL BE CONSIDERED INSUBORDINATE BEHAVIOR AND WILL RESULT IN A STOP ASSIGNMENT OR A SUSPENSION FROM SCHOOL. FAILURE TO ATTEND SATURDAY SCHOOL WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL, OR A VALID EXCUSE WILL BE CONSIDERED INSUBORDINATE BEHAVIOR AND WILL RESULT IN A STOP ASSIGNMENT OR A SUSPENSION FROM SCHOOL.

Cell Phone Policy Student cell phone use is prohibited during the instructional day from 7:40 a.m. to 2:20 p.m. Student cell phone use is prohibited during the instructional day from 7:40 a.m. to 2:20 p.m. If a student uses a cell phone for ANY reason (talking, checking time, photos, texting, sharing, internet, etc.) during the school day, the phone and all of its working parts - including the memory card - will be confiscated for 10 days and nights including weekends. If a student uses a cell phone for ANY reason (talking, checking time, photos, texting, sharing, internet, etc.) during the school day, the phone and all of its working parts - including the memory card - will be confiscated for 10 days and nights including weekends. If an administrator becomes involved because the student refuses to surrender the phone and all of its parts to a teacher, it will result in a 3-day student suspension for insubordination. Any failure by a student to immediately comply with the teacher or administrator will result in a 3-day suspension for insubordinate behavior. If an administrator becomes involved because the student refuses to surrender the phone and all of its parts to a teacher, it will result in a 3-day student suspension for insubordination. Any failure by a student to immediately comply with the teacher or administrator will result in a 3-day suspension for insubordinate behavior. Ballard High School reserves the right to confiscate cell phones for up to 30 consecutive days. In instances where a student continually violates this rule, beginning with the 3rd offense, the phone shall be confiscated for 30 days. If a student refuses to provide his/her phone for a 30 day time period, a long-term suspension (6-10 days) shall be considered as the consequence. Ballard High School reserves the right to confiscate cell phones for up to 30 consecutive days. In instances where a student continually violates this rule, beginning with the 3rd offense, the phone shall be confiscated for 30 days. If a student refuses to provide his/her phone for a 30 day time period, a long-term suspension (6-10 days) shall be considered as the consequence.

High School Graduation Requirements English – 4 credits (years) English – 4 credits (years) Math – 4 credits (Must be in a math class all 4 years) Math – 4 credits (Must be in a math class all 4 years) and must pass senior math course Science – 3 credits Science – 3 credits Social Studies – 3 credits Social Studies – 3 credits Health/PE – 1 credit Health/PE – 1 credit Humanities – 1 credit Humanities – 1 credit Electives – 6 + credits Electives – 6 + credits Total to graduate – 22 credits (You should have more) Total to graduate – 22 credits (You should have more)

Grading and Credits Each class is worth 1 credit from Each class is worth 1 credit from Aug. - May (each semester ½ credit) Grades are cumulative Grades are cumulative 1 st and 2 nd 6-weeks progress report 1 st and 2 nd 6-weeks progress report 3 rd 6-weeks report card (transcript) 3 rd 6-weeks report card (transcript) Students need to earn: Students need to earn: 5.0 credits = 10 th grade 5.0 credits = 10 th grade 11.0 credits = 11 th grade 11.0 credits = 11 th grade 16.0 credits = 12 th grade 16.0 credits = 12 th grade 22.0 credits = graduate 22.0 credits = graduate

Tutoring Math Tutoring Math Tutoring Mrs. Eschels, Room N235 Mrs. Eschels, Room N235 Monday – Wednesday 2:30 – 3:00 Monday – Wednesday 2:30 – 3:00 During Lunch During Lunch Science Tutoring Science Tutoring Mrs. Fields, Room S105 Mrs. Fields, Room S105 Monday and Thursday 2:30 – 3:00 Monday and Thursday 2:30 – 3:00

Athletic Eligibility Eligibility for the school year: Eligibility for the school year: Be on grade level the first day of the school year. Be on grade level the first day of the school year. A student ineligible on the first day of school for not being on grade level will remain ineligible for the entire school year. A student ineligible on the first day of school for not being on grade level will remain ineligible for the entire school year. Maintaining eligibility during the school year: Maintaining eligibility during the school year: Student-athlete grades will be checked weekly. Student-athlete grades will be checked weekly. A D or lower in any one class or a G.P.A. of less that 2.0 results in study skills and/or tutoring sessions with a subject area teacher. A D or lower in any one class or a G.P.A. of less that 2.0 results in study skills and/or tutoring sessions with a subject area teacher. Study skills must be attended until the cumulative grade or G.P.A. is at or above the required level. Study skills must be attended until the cumulative grade or G.P.A. is at or above the required level. After four weeks After four weeks he/she will be suspended from athletic participation (practices and games) for at least one week he/she will be suspended from athletic participation (practices and games) for at least one week After fifth week After fifth week athletic suspension will continue on a weekly basis until the grade requirements have been met. athletic suspension will continue on a weekly basis until the grade requirements have been met. More than one failing grade More than one failing grade suspended from participating in games until the grades in those classes improve to the required level. suspended from participating in games until the grades in those classes improve to the required level.

Useful Websites District website District website Ballard Counseling Website Ballard Counseling Website PTSA Electronic weekly newsletter PTSA Electronic weekly newsletter