General School Policies and Procedures

Academic Progress

Course grades are updated regularly on Canvas for each course taken. Please log in to the Canvas system to view attendance and academic progress for your student. For questions on logging in to Canvas, please ask school staff (registrar, counselor, assistant principal, etc.) to support. Final and quarterly grades are posted in Skyward.

Assembly Behavior

Assemblies are an integral part of the school curriculum and have an educational value, therefore, attendance at assemblies is required. Students are expected to conduct themselves in a way that demonstrates respect for those speaking or performing as well as those in attendance. Students who misbehave at assemblies may be removed from the assembly by an administrator and subject to discipline.

Check Acceptance Policy

The District has established the following protocol for accepting checks and collecting bad checks:

• For a check to be an acceptable form of payment, it must include the current, full, accurate name, address and telephone number.
• If a check is returned for non-payment, the face value may be recovered electronically along with a state allowed recovery fee.
• In the event a check is returned for non-payment, checks will not be an acceptable form of payment for the rest of the school year.

College and Career Center

The Skyline High College and Career Center is an excellent resource for students, parents/caregivers, and faculty needing information about post-secondary education and career decisions. Visit the SHS CCC Website for up-to-date detailed information on our services and resources including:

• Career counseling/college selection with students & parents/caregivers (if desired)
• Career exploration
• Career Library
• College, university, community, and technical college information
• College representative visits
• Culminating Project
• Financial aid
• Field trips to special programs and colleges
• Military information and ASVAB testing
• Part-time job information
• Resume, application and interview resources
• SAT/ACT books
• Scholarship information
• Summer and volunteer opportunities
• Tech Prep/college credit information
• WaNIC information

Computer/Technology Use

The District encourages information dissemination, collaboration, innovation, and experimentation through the ethical use of technology. The District requires its staff and students to adhere strictly to District Regulations and laws governing technological hardware and software. In cases involving any activity prohibited by District Regulation and/or law, rights accorded to persons by the District, such as privacy, do not protect an individual from discipline and/or prosecution. Complete copies of Regulations 2022 and 5253 may be obtained at any school or on the district website.

Computers are to be used for academic purposes only. No games, audio files, video files, or other applications may be downloaded or installed without permission of the site administrator or designee. Every student using a District computer is required to have a parent/caregiver sign a Responsible Use Agreement. This form acknowledges the right of the District to review material stored on its network, as well as the wide range of information accessible through public networks. The Issaquah School District does use monitoring software when students are using a district device (on and off campus), a student email address, and when using district provided programs like OneDrive, Office 365, etc. This means students and parents/caregivers will be contacted if a student uses any language that references illegal, violent, sexual or self-harm language while using a district device, email or program. The Responsible Use Agreement also releases the District from liability for any damages due to information gained or obtained through the District network, including access to public networks.

Counseling Center

Students will be assigned to a specific counselor for academic monitoring according to last name (refer to the “who’s who” page). The Counseling Center is open from 7:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. daily. Arrangements to see a counselor may be made by appointment, or by signing up to see an individual counselor.

Counseling Center services include:

• Academic planning
• Maintenance of academic records
• Classroom presentations
• Individual and group post-high school planning, career counseling and guidance
• Consultations with teachers/parents/caregivers to assist in discussions of learning and performance challenges and working to resolve academic problems
• Coordination and provision of information for drug/alcohol intervention and assessments
• Consultation on personal issues for students
• Parent/Caregiver and student interventions for academic concerns
• Consultation and referral to Child Protective Services, law enforcement and referrals to community agencies

Please visit the Counseling Center website to access the following:

• Post high school planning options
• College application procedures
• Information on all in and outside credit completion options
• Checklists for students that are bound for community college, technical college, 4-year college, apprenticeships and military
• Comprehensive course requirement planning guides and instructions
• A complete IHS course description guide
• Scheduling forms for all grade levels
• Graduation requirements
• Course offerings by department

Course Change Policy

As personnel, facilities and material resources are assigned based on student’s course selections, it is imperative that students choose courses carefully (including alternatives) during registration. Changes to student schedules create an impact on many other courses, and therefore will only be made on a limited basis. Therefore, Administration has established the following schedule change policy to promote academic success for students.

Students are expected to select their classes in a serious and responsible manner, as every effort will be made to ensure that students are scheduled into their pre-selected classes. Not all courses in the Course Catalog are offered annually. Ultimately, the number of students who select that course, teacher availability, facility, and budget constraints determine courses offered during the year. When you choose a course you are committing to completing the course in its entirety to the best of your ability. If an error in course placement has been made, such as misplacement in math or would languages, students should see their counselor immediately for reassignment into the appropriate course. Schedule changes are only made if there is misplacement or if there is room in the course the student/parent/caregiver requests to be moved into.

Student/Parent/Caregiver initiated schedule change requests must be submitted, via the online request form posted on the school’s website. Replacement of approved dropped courses will be at the discretion of the Administration, based on availability of seats in courses being taught during the same class period. 

• Until the end of the 5^th day of school: Students may submit a change request based upon academic misplacement in the course.
• End of the 5^th day of school until day 20 of the semester: Courses dropped will remain on the student’s official transcript with a “W” documenting withdrawal from the course. This course will NOT be included in the GPA calculation. See WAC 392-415-050, -070.
• Day 21 of the semester and on: Courses dropped will remain on the student’s official transcript with an “F.” The course WILL BE included in the GPA calculation.

Valid reason for student/parent/caregiver initiated schedule changes are strictly limited to:

• Duplicate period error (i.e., two classes during the same period are listed on your schedule)
• Incomplete schedule (i.e., missing class period(s) on your schedule)
• A senior missing a class required for graduation
• Inappropriate academic placement (e.g., you are in Algebra 2, but have not taken Geometry)
• A student placed in an elective class they did not request, either as primary or alternate choice
• A student has a physical/medical reason, documented by a medical professional, that prevents participation in class

Note: if a student/parent/caregiver initiated schedule change is made, the student is required to complete all assignments from the start of the semester in the new class. Students will be required to work with their new teacher to accomplish this goal. If the student chooses not to complete an assignment, a “0” may be entered in the gradebook for that assignment, therefore negatively affected the grade in the new class. 

Teacher initiated schedule changes may be made when a teacher recommends a student be moved from one level to another within the same subject area. The teacher will initiate a conversation with the school administrator, counselor, student, and parent/caregiver to discuss the possible change and, if agreed upon, the student’s administrator will recommend the change. Students will follow their original schedule until they are notified the change has been made.

Dance Regulation

To attend any dance, everyone must have a picture ID. A current school ID, passport, or driver’s license will be the only forms of picture ID accepted.

Students who bring a guest to a school dance are required to have the appropriate dance pass completed, signed and returned to the ASB bookkeeper no later than two days prior to the dance. Dance passes are available in the attendance office. Students may not bring a guest that is 21 or older. If a student guest is asked to leave a dance, both parties will be required to leave. Parent/Caregiver will be called to come and pick the student up if necessary.

Students may not engage in any type of inappropriate dancing. Examples of this include, but are not limited to:

• Inappropriate touching, fondling, excessive displays of affection
• Removal of shirts, pants or necessary articles of clothing
• Dancing on another’s lap
• Lifting another person’s leg(s) off the ground
• Violent, “mosh pit” style dancing

Dance Chaperones are authorized to ask students to stop if students are found to be dancing inappropriately.

Any student or guest that is dressed inappropriately will be asked to change or be removed from the dance. No refund will be given. For appropriate dress description, see Student Dress Code.

Distribution of Printed Materials on School Grounds

Students distributing printed materials through activities or athletics need to work with their coach or advisor regarding distribution of printer materials. In respect for the rights and beliefs of all of our students, for materials outside of activities or athletics, you must submit a request to PeachJar for any community distribution. If you wish to post information on the school’s community bulletin board or other area set aside for this purpose, please contact your assistant principal for approval. Guidelines for distribution of material on school grounds are included in Regulations 2340 and 4320. A complete copy of these policies may be obtained at any school or on the district website.

Drug Free Zones

Schools in the Issaquah School District are protected as drug free zones, as established by the City of Issaquah and King County. Drug free zones provide for possible double penalties for anyone caught trafficking controlled substances within 1,000 feet of a designated school, school bus stop or public park.

Fines

School fines are issued when a student fails to pay a class fee in the first three weeks of the semester and/or when a student damages or fails to return any property of the school including, but not limited to, textbooks, items checked out from the library, athletic uniforms, rental instruments, technology support items, etc. All fines are due by the end of the quarter in which they are issued. Once the quarter passes, even if the item is found and submitted, the fine is still due and payable because the school will have purchased a replacement item in order to maintain the inventory for student use.

You are encouraged to pay your fees & fines online. You can access the “Pay Online” button from the School home page using the same user name as Family Access. The password is the last name of your student.

Students will be fined for any textbooks not returned by 2:00 p.m. on the last day of school unless they are a senior. Seniors’ fine will be due before graduation – see weekly bulletins, announcements and posted signs for further details. Fines will not be removed once an item is found, as the school must replace the book to ensure inventory for the next school year.

Scholarships are available for students who need support. Please see your ASB bookkeeper, school administrator, or school counselor for support.

Good Neighbor Policy

The District wishes to maintain positive relationships with our neighbors. Students are to avoid trespassing on neighbors’ property, littering and loitering in the street near their homes. Students with off-campus passes who leave during the school day are to avoid congregating in the neighborhood streets bordering the school.

Graduation Requirements

Please refer to the Course Guide on the school website and District Regulation 2410 and Procedure 2410P for specific graduation requirement information and programs. You will find information on:

• Subject and Credit Requirements
• College Admissions requirements
• Advanced Placement
• College in the High School
• Equivalency
• High School Credit for 7^th and 8^th grade students
• Summer School Program
• Running Start
• School Directed Athletics
• Tech Prep
• Waivers
• Washington Network for Innovative Careers
• Credit Options Outside of Issaquah School District
• Course Selection Expectations
• Credit Recovery Program Early Graduation
• Extra-Curricular Academic Eligibility
• Grade Improvement
• Home-Based Instruction
• NCAA
• State High School Transcript

Homework

Homework, as an extension of the classroom, must be planned and organized, be purposeful to the students, and evaluated and returned to students in a timely manner. The purpose of homework assignments, the basis for evaluating the work performed and the guidelines and/or rules should be made clear to the student at the time of the assignment. Students should talk to their classroom teachers with any questions about assignments or grades for a course. A complete copy of Regulation 2422 and related Regulations and Procedures are available on the District’s website.

Identification Cards

All students are provided with a student identification card, featuring their name, grade and a photo. Students are expected to carry their card at all times during the school day.

Inspection, Search and Seizure

Students are entitled to the guarantees of the Fourth Amendment and shall be secure in their persons, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures. However, school officials have the responsibility of maintaining a safe environment and are empowered to conduct a reasonable search of a student, of their personal property, and of school property when there is reasonable and individualized cause or grounds for suspecting or believing that the search will turn up evidence that the student has violated or is violating either the law or the rules of the school. A search is required when there are reasonable grounds to suspect a student has a firearm on school grounds, school transportation or at school events. Any search conducted must comply with applicable laws. School property shall remain under the control of school officials, and shall be subject to search.

Searches of Students and Personal Property

Any search of a student conducted by a District employee must be reasonably related to the discovery of contraband or other evidence based upon an individualized suspicion of the student's violation of the law or school rules.

The term “contraband” means items, materials, or substances the possession of which is prohibited by law or District Regulation, including but not limited to, controlled substances, alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, nicotine delivering devices, or any object that can reasonably be considered a firearm or a dangerous weapon.

Automobile Searches

Students are permitted to park on school premises as a matter of privilege, not of right. The school retains authority to conduct without notice routine patrols of student parking lots and inspections of the exteriors and visible interiors of student automobiles on school property. The interiors of student vehicles may be searched whenever a school official has reasonable cause or grounds for suspecting or believing that the search will turn up evidence that the student has violated or is violating either the law or the rules of the school. School officials may call and/or consult with local law enforcement officials in appropriate circumstances, such as when criminal activity is suspected.

Locker Searches

All student lockers may be searched at any time without prior notice and without reasonable suspicion that the search will yield evidence of any particular student's violation of the law or school rules. If the school official conducting such a search develops a reasonable suspicion that any container inside the locker, including but not limited to a purse, backpack, gym bag, or an article of clothing, contains evidence of a student's violation of the law or school rules, the container may be searched pursuant to the District’s procedures governing personal searches.

Additional information regarding student privacy and searches may be found in Regulation 3230 and Procedure 3230P.

Library

All library information including rules and regulations can be found on the Skyline High School Library webpage. 

Lunch Accounts

Purchasing a Meal

Students will be assigned a lunch account that can be used to purchase standard program meals from the school kitchen. Students will be given access to a standard program meal regardless of lunch account balance. Charges to the student’s lunch account will continue to accrue until reconciled. A student’s lunch account must have sufficient funds to purchase a la carte items (chips, cookies, vendor pizza, bottled beverages, etc.).

Financial Assistance

Online applications for meal assistance are available on the lunch program webpage. Paper copies are available on the webpage or can be obtained by contacting the Food Service Office at 425-837-5060. They are also available in the front office of each school building.

MySchoolBucks

Food Services partners with MySchoolBucks.com, a service that allows the use of credit cards to make payments for a student’s lunch account. Parents/Caregivers may select an auto-pay feature as well by visiting the website. There is a $2.75 fee per credit card transaction charged by MySchoolBucks.com however the use of their website to monitor a student’s lunch balance and account activity is free. Log on instructions and link to myschoolbucks.com can be found on the district website by clicking here.

Balance Notification

Food Services recently implemented an automated balance notification service that will notify parents/caregivers via e-mail when the student’s lunch balance is low and again when the lunch balance is in arrears. The negative balance notification e-mails will continue to be sent weekly until the unpaid meal charges have been resolved.

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1. mail:
   U.S. Department of Agriculture
   Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
   1400 Independence Avenue, SW
   Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
2. fax:
   (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
3. email:
   Program.Intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Medication Administration at School

Washington State Law and Issaquah School District Policy require that schools have written authorization from a licensed healthcare provider and parent/caregiver on file yearly when a child needs to take medication during the school day. Students are permitted to carry medication and self-administer at the high school level when the physician and the parent/caregiver have requested self-administration in writing and the request has been approved by the school nurse. High school students may be allowed to carry and self-administer over-the-counter medication when authorized by the parent/caregiver and school nurse. All medication must be in the original pharmacy labeled container. Students who carry and self-administer medication must carry only one daily dose in an original pharmacy container. Please note students are not allowed to carry opioid reversal medications such as Narcan (naloxone) at any time on school grounds or at school events.

The Authorization for Administration of Medication at High School form is available in the attendance office, nurse’s office, and on the Issaquah School District website.

Additional information and requirements related to the administration of medication at school may be found in District Regulations and Procedures 3416 and 3416P (Medication at School), 3417 and 3417P (Catheterization), 3419 and 3419P (Self-Administration of Asthma and Anaphylaxis Medications), and 3420 and 3420P (Anaphylaxis).

Senior Academic Recognition

District high schools no longer use a ranking system for academic recognition of the senior class at graduation. Schools have moved to a Latin Honors system. In this system, students are recognized for their academic achievements in three different levels: Cum Laude (with honors), Magna Cum Laude (with high honors), and Summa Cum Laude (with highest honors). An academic speaker will be chosen by the high school staff for each graduation ceremony based on applicants from the Magna Cum Laude level of the Latin Honors system.

Special Services

Each District school has a Guidance Team to address concerns regarding student performance. Parents/Caregivers may contact their school guidance counselor for more information about this process. If a student is suspected of having a disability, the Guidance Team may refer the student for special education or a Section 504 assessment. The school psychologist assigned to the school will coordinate the special education process. A copy of the special education notice of procedural safeguards is available on the Parent and Student Rights (Procedural Safeguards) webpage (OSPI).

Student Dress Code

Appropriate clothing in a school or at school events contributes to a positive and quality environment at school, thus student clothing must be appropriate for an academic atmosphere. Students dress and grooming may not:

• Disrupt, interfere with, disturb, or detract from school activities.
• Create a hazard to the student’s safety or to the safety of others. For example, students are required to wear appropriate footwear at all times.
• Promote by printed word or symbol the use of illegal substances or other prohibited activities, including but not limited to intimidation, harassment, sexual innuendo, vulgarity, and obscenities.

If school officials reasonably believe a student’s dress or grooming is objectionable under these provisions, the principal or designee will ask the student to make appropriate corrections. If the student refuses, the student is subject to discipline. See District Regulation 3224.

Student Parking

For increased security and protection, ALL students who drive to school must register their vehicles. Parking rules and regulations are available on the school website. Parking and driving are considered privileges. All parking and driving regulations are strictly enforced. Violations may lead to suspension of privileges, fine/ticket, towing of vehicle, discipline, and/or police notification. Vehicles are not to be used for storage during the school day. Students who are found in the parking lot, loitering in their vehicles during the school day, or littering are subject to discipline. Security cameras are in use. Speed limit of 10 mph is strictly enforced.

If students desire parking privileges, they agree not to allow contraband in their automobiles. They agree that their vehicles are subject to search by school officials if the officials develop individualized suspicion that student(s) are or have been violating a law or student conduct rule. Students and their families understand the parking lots will be subject to periodic patrols by drug-sniffing dogs at times when the students are not in the vicinity of the dogs. Students agree that if a drug-sniffing dog “hits” on their vehicle while it is parked on school premises, school officials will have the authority to search the vehicle. If students refuse to allow searches of vehicles by school officials in such circumstances, students will lose their parking privileges and must understand that the District will presume that the dogs have accurately discovered contra-band in determining whether student discipline is warranted. See Regulation 3230.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Students are entitled to the rights of all people as set forth in the Constitution and laws of the United States; the Constitution and laws of the State of Washington; the law regarding equal education opportunity; First Amendment rights to freedom of press, speech, peaceable assembly and petition; and the right to be secure in their pursuit of an education while in the custody of the District. These rights are subject to the District’s authority to make reasonable rules and regulations to maintain the educational process.

Students with Special Health Care Needs

Students with life-threatening conditions such as severe bee sting, severe food allergies, severe asthma, diabetes, seizures, etc., are required to have a medication or treatment order and nursing care plan in place before they start school each year. If a medication or treatment order is not provided, the chief administrator of the school is required to exclude the child until such order has been provided. This requirement applies to students with a life-threatening condition who are new to the district and students who are already attending the school. Contact your school nurse to discuss your child’s healthcare needs at school.

For additional information and requirements related to life-threatening health conditions, please see Regulation 3413 and Procedure 3413P.

Transportation

The mission of the District and bus drivers is to safely transport students to and from school or to school activities. A complete copy of Regulation 6606, setting forth the specific rules of conduct on buses, may be obtained at any school or from the Transportation Department.

The District uses random placement of video cameras on school buses to maintain good order and increase safety. The video tapes may be used to identify students who violate the rules of conduct for buses and for decisions based on those violations.

Visitors

During the school day, only parents/caregivers, emergency contacts listed in Skyward, approved volunteers and invited guests are allowed to visit District schools. Parents/Caregivers, emergency contacts listed in Skyward, volunteers and invited guests will continue to have access to all District schools before and after the school day in order to confer with and directly assist teachers, staff and students, provide support for District programs and observe or participate in school sponsored activities.

Parents/Caregivers, emergency contacts listed in Skyward, volunteers and invited guests visiting a school during the school day must register at the school’s office upon arrival, must comply with any safety procedures and directives indicated by the principal, and must not engage in any activity or behavior which is disruptive to the educational process. Additional information and requirements related to visitors at school are in Regulation 4311 and Procedure 4311P.