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ATTENDANCE

A. Absences

Attendance is strictly monitored to meet the 95% attendance mandate of No Child Left Behind legislation. Students who have an excused absence from a class may make up the work providing the student brings an excuse to the Attendance Office within three (3) days. A note is then provided which the student will present to each teacher. Students must request make up work within three days of an absence. They are not to assume someone else will take care of this responsibility for them. Students with unexcused absences, including suspensions for the fifth and subsequent times, will not be allowed to make up any missed work. Teachers are not to allow make up work without a note signed by the Attendance Office worker. Upon the fifth (5) unexcused absence from school, every effort will be made to have direct contact with the student and the parent. Upon the sixth (6) unexcused absence, a conference is required with parent/guardian. Upon the seventh (7) unexcused absence, enforcement of the compulsory school attendance law occurs through the filing of a CHINS petition with the Lee County Juvenile Court. Early dismissal, tardy, and/or an off campus accumulate toward truancy and all require an excuse for make up work.

B. Attendance Office

This office is open for approximately 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the school day. Sometimes this time extends into first period when all students have yet to be served. This office is the only place where excuses for absences will be accepted. Students have three (3) days to get an excuse to this office. Faxed excuses will be given to this office for processing the day after it is received. No excuse will be accepted that is late, nor will any excuse be accepted that has been altered in any way. It is the student’s responsibility to follow this procedure.

C. Attendance Awards

• Perfect Attendance – a student must attend school for one full school year without being absent, tardy, have an off campus or an early dismissal.
• Excellent Attendance – a student must have been counted present every day during the school year, but may have been absent from a particular class or classes, tardy, off campus, or an early dismissal no more than five (5) times during the school year with/without excuses. A student absent from class for a school sponsored event, trip or competition will be counted present and given an opportunity to make up all missed work.

D. Excuses

During the year each student is allowed six (6) parent excuses. These six excuses may be used in combination or singly for one of these choices: absence, tardy, off campus or early dismissal. Absentee reasons recognized by the Commonwealth are: medical visit, death in the family, court appearance (Court Service must provide a note), senior college visit, military obligation, parent, or principal. A principal’s excuse is given at a parent’s request for extraordinary circumstances or events, which may occur in a student’s life for which they have contacted an administrator, by note or phone.

E. Procedure for Early Dismissal/Off Campus/Ride Different Bus

Notes from parents requesting a student’s early dismissal, off campus, or permission to ride a different bus must be presented to the staff of Lee High’s main office prior to the beginning of the school day. Notes will not be accepted after the morning bell rings. Every note must contain the signature of the custodial parent and a phone number to which the staff may call for verification. Parents are asked to call the school to verify this note if at all possible. Students with notes to leave must be drivers properly registered with a parking permit. These notes to leave ARE NOT Attendance Office excuses. An excuse for this absence from school must be brought to the Attendance Office within three (3) days. Students WILL NOT be checked out by anyone who is not his or her custodial parent, legal guardian, official of the court or from the Lee County Department of Social Services. Anyone else must have prior approval by both a signed note and a phone call from the legal parent/guardian. This applies to 18-year-old students as well. Eighteen-year-olds are under the same guidelines and rules as all other students. If an 18-year-old maintains their own household they must notify Lee High administration and Lee High guidance with proof of their status. When it is established that an 18-year-old student lives independently, they will be allowed to sign for themselves in every circumstance of school life. They may not, however, sign out other students who are not yet 18. When all legal procedures are followed as outlined above, students and parents must sign the logbook located in the office before they exit the building. Once a student has signed out, they may not return during the day until they sign the logbook upon their return (as with an off campus). If a student has left the building and returns without signing in, they are trespassing. Teachers are to ask for admit slips.

 

CONDUCT (back to top)

Lee High School recognizes that human dignity is the basis for all our relationships and growth. Lee High students, staff, faculty and administrators are asked to adopt the Lee High School Pledge of Respect as part of their personal code:

Respect is the cornerstone of all interactions and behaviors. I acknowledge the dignity and worth of others, and strive never to diminish another by my conduct or by my attitude. I acknowledge diversity and pledge to build community by practicing hospitality, civility and respect.

Misconduct is defined by, but not limited to: Any physical, spoken or written act of abuse, violence, harassment, intimidation, extortion, the use of vulgarity, cursing, or, any restriction or prevention of free movement of an individual. This prohibition applies whether the act is deliberate, intentional or unintentional or is directed toward an individual or group regarding race, color, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, personal characteristics, political or religious ideology; any behaviors leading to disruption, dishonesty, or destruction; any personal grooming/dress causing lack of respect; any participation in any illegal activity.

The severity of an offense dictates the consequence. These expectations apply to all facets of school life – at school, at school activities, on transportation, at bus stops, on field trips, and so on. Lee High accepts the procedures and premises set forth in Section 22.1-78 of the Virginia School Law.

A. Appeals

Students, along with the approving signature of their parents, have the right to appeal OSS actions taken against them to the next highest authority. Appeals Form in the Appendices.

B. Bus Behavior

All school rules apply to transportation to and from school as well as while waiting or discharging at the bus stop. Bus drivers are staff members and will be treated with respect. Parents are requested to sign a letter of bus expectations and acknowledgments at the beginning of the school year. If it is necessary to ride a different bus occasionally, a parent/guardian signed note must be presented to the office staff before the school day begins. A copy of this note must be presented to the driver before entering the bus. Drivers are not to allow anyone onto their bus without authorization.

C. Dress/Appearance

Lee High has no wish to dictate style or fashion; however we have a vested interest in the neat, decent, and safe appearance of our students. Expression of style and personal freedom do not supercede the safety, decency, and peace of mind conducive to a learning environment. Education is serious business and is best conducted in a business atmosphere. Any Lee County School Board policy takes precedent.

i. No headgear is allowed on school property during the school day, unless it is part of a school-approved uniform or a designated costume for Spirit Week. Coverings will be confiscated and held in the school office until a parent collects it.

ii. Foot apparel is required.

iii. Clothing with sexist, racist remarks or pictures, drug/alcohol/tobacco statements, or double meaning statements are not allowed. Students wearing such items will be given a choice of, either, turning the items inside out, changing shirts, or going home. Wearing a jacket over the item with the shirt still visible is not acceptable.

iv. Certain classes require more specific grooming and clothing regulations.

v. Tattoos with obscene or drug/alcohol/tobacco-related themes will be covered at all times.

vi. Illegal sized chains will be confiscated. Chains are worn only as jewelry on neck, ankle or wrist. Studs are not allowed.

vii. Clothing or colors associated with gangs or alternative behaviors are not allowed.

viii School personnel have the right to inspect coats, bags and other clothing items.

ix. Dark glasses are not to be worn inside any building except with a doctor’s prescription.

x. Students who wear body pierced jewelry accept the fact that wearing such items may result in their own injury and/or infection. It is not to be worn in Physical Education classes or other classes where special circumstances dictate special requirements. Jewelry is never worn on the athletic field. Lee High School is not responsible for any injury resulting from the wearing of pierced items.

xi. Clothing that drags the floor is not safe and is not allowed.

xii. Face paint is disruptive to the educational process and is not allowed, unless on special designated occasions to demonstrate school spirit.

Period Remediation (REM) is a ‘time out’ for one or more class period (s) during which time the student is given an assignment to complete and return. Not having books, writing instrument, or sleeping are not REM offenses.

In School Suspension (ISS) is an assignment of one or more days given by an administrator for the student to spend in isolation from other students. An appropriate assignment is provided for each student relevant to the behavior that garnered this suspension. This assignment must be completed before the student is allowed to work on other assignments.

Out of School Suspension (OSS) is assigned by an administrator to a student. OSS action may be appealed. See Appendices.