High School
Welcome Letter from the Superintendent
Dear High School Students and Parents,
Welcome to another exciting, challenging, and rewarding school year. I hope that your summer months have been engaging and relaxing and that you are preparing for the opportunities that lie ahead. The first day of school is Wednesday, September 1, 2010. When students arrive on September 1st, they will report directly to 1st hour class. Students are expected to be in first hour at 8:00 a.m.
During the summer months I met with high school teachers, received feedback from parents, and hosted a lunch with student council. I also visited the homes of most of our ninth grade students. Each of these steps has helped me understand our priorities for the new school year. In 2010-2011 our focus will be Achievement and Growth for all Students. We will also emphasize developing a strong sense of community and school spirit and developing students as leaders.
Our primary effort together is to build the knowledge and skills each student will need to be successful in the future. We are building a school experience that will allow each of our students to excel and to pursue their dreams.
In order to build this type of learning environment, it is important to be clear about expectations at the beginning. My expectations about behavior, cell phones, dress, and locker use are included in this communication. Please read carefully.
I also encourage parents and high school students to visit the policy and guideline sections of the website. These policies and guidelines provide important details. I hold high expectations for the way our students behave; expect all students to be well informed about the expectations; understand the possible consequences when expectations are not met.
Being clear about appropriate behavior is important at the beginning of each new school year. Even more important is to be clear about academic expectations. I expect all of our students to work hard. I expect our students: to set and pursue academic goals; to support one another to reach these goals; and to seek the support of teachers, parents, and friends when needed. I know that each of our students is surrounded by people who genuinely care about their success. Make sure to use these supports.
Finally, as we begin together I want to share my appreciation for the warm welcome. It is both humbling and exciting to have this opportunity to join a community so deeply committed to its public schools. Along with each of you, I look forward to the challenges and the successes of the 2010-2011 school year.
Serving the Children of Kohler,
Mr. Lexmond
Superintendent and High School Principal
Special note to parents… I need your help to reinforce the dress expectations. Please donate used t-shirts, shorts, and belts appropriate for school. We will use these when students come dressed inappropriately. Students will receive a warning and be asked to change or borrow a piece of donated clothing. In the case of sagging pants, the students will put on a donated belt.
Kohler High School Expectations – In Brief
(The official and detailed list of expectations is available on the school website)
Academic
We expect students to be focused and to work hard; set goals and ask for support when needed; set aside study time each evening; and each student should communicate with parents and teachers about successes and requirements to continue that success.
Behavior
Expectations for student behavior are based on respect and responsibility. Appropriate language is expected in school. It is expected that students treat one another and adults in our school with respect. Students who see or experience bullying should contact an adult in the school or call 459-2920 Ext 1234 to report the behavior. Student conduct is governed by board policy 5500, 5600, and 5517.01.
Dress
A student should always dress appropriately for the learning environment. Clothing may not be disruptive to the environment or to the learning process. This includes the following:
• Hats are only appropriate outside the school building
• Shirts should be long enough to completely cover the midriff or stomach area. Necklines should not be lower than 2 inches below the collar bone. All shirts must have sleeves or straps that are a minimum of 2 inches wide covering both shoulders.
• Undergarments should be worn but not exposed.
• Shorts and skirts should not be shorter than arms length and should be worn high enough around the waist to cover underwear.
• Pants should be worn high enough around the waist to cover underwear.
Lockers
Student lockers have been reorganized so that seniors can assume new leadership roles. All student lockers are distributed throughout the high school. According to Board policy 5771, lockers are school property whereby students are expected to use the assigned locker. The District retains ownership and control of student lockers. School personnel may randomly search student lockers at anytime. Students using lockers or sharing lockers in a manner differently then assigned may face disciplinary action.
Cell Phones
We recognize that value of student and parent communication. We recognize that many families now use cell phones to pro-actively monitor what children are doing and where they are going. Board policies 5136 and 5518 govern the student possession and use of cell phones at school. In short, students may have phones while at school but must keep them turned off and out of sight. If a cell phone is used inappropriately, it will be confiscated. The first time it is confiscated, it may be picked up at the end of the school day in the high school office. The second time, a parent must come to the office to pick up the phone. The third time, the phone will be held until the end of the school year. If there is an emergency during the school day parents should contact the school office.
