Student Guidelines and Expectations

It is the intent of the school to encourage students to correct undesirable/unacceptable/unsafe behavior, and attendance problems whenever reasonably possible. Renton High School has a zero – tolerance policy for weapons, fighting, gang related activity, and drugs/alcohol.

Students are expected to conduct themselves in a positive manner, including respecting Renton High School and Renton School District rules in a way that contributes to a positive school atmosphere (including physical environment). The Renton High School community expects appropriate behavior from all students every day.

We strive to utilize a progressive discipline system, based upon principles of restorative practices. Meaning, students requiring disciplinary action will be handled in an accumulative and progressive manner, with the “disciplinary action” not being the focus, but the act of restoration, and re-engagement for the student.

The goal of each intervention is to assist the student in identifying the problem, encouraging accountability, and working collaboratively to restore positive relationships with others and the school environment. Students will receive re-engagement support to minimize the amount of class time missed.

Please review the following expectations and disciplinary actions. Please note, this is not an exhaustive list of expectations. Please contact your appropriate grade level administrator or Dean of Students with questions.

Attendance Policy

Overview

Daily attendance in all classes is one of the most significant factors in a student’s achievement at Renton High School. The following policy is designated to help keep students in school and increase their potential for success.

ALL STUDENTS ARE TO GET AN TARDY SLIP FROM THE TARDY KIOSK IF ARRIVING MORE THAN 10 MINUTES AFTER THE BELL HAS RUNG.

If you are picking up your student during school, please sign in with the main office to arrange to pick up you student.

A parent/guardian must notify the attendance office via telephone 425.204.3410, with a written note, or via e-mail to excuse student absences each time the student has an excused absence. A telephone call, written note, or e-mail is required from a parent/guardian to excuse an absence within 48 hours of the student’s return to school or the absence(s) will not be excused. Unexcused absences may incur a loss of credit for that day in each class missed. Our automated phone messaging system will call the telephone number in Skyward to notify you know of your student’s absence. Please call the attendance office at the number above if you are not receiving the automated messages when you know your student has missed a class.

Students eighteen and older may obtain a permission form from the attendance office to sign their own notes. This permission form must be signed by a parent/guardian and approved by an administrator. The note must contain the date (s) of absence(s) and the specified reason for the absence(s). Failure to submit a note for every period(s) missed is a misuse of this right and may result in the loss of this privilege and/or disciplinary action.

Per Policy and Procedure 3122, (6/11/13) an absence will be considered valid if: the student participates in school approved activity or instructional program, illness, health condition or medical appointment, family emergency included but not limited to a death or illness in the family, religious or cultural purpose including observance of religious or cultural holiday or religious or cultural instruction, court, judicial proceeding or serving on a jury, post-secondary, technical school or apprenticeship program visitation or scholarship interview, state-recognized search and rescue activities, absence directly related to student’s homelessness status, absence resulting in disciplinary action, principal and parent, guardian or emancipated youth mutually agreed upon approved activity.

Renton School District honors “family time” (short absences of 3 or fewer days) based on travel or significant lifetime events. Parent/guardian must submit a written request to the principal prior to the absence. Absences requested by parent/guardian that exceed 3 days should follow established Pre-Arranged Absence procedure. If the pre-arranged absence exceeds 20 consecutive days the student must be withdrawn, may not be eligible to earn credit, and will be included in the monthly enrollment count. Absences must default to unexcused until an excused absence is verified by a parent or guardian. Any absence that is or exceeds 3 periods in length will be counted as a full day absence for state reporting purposes. Medically related absences are considered to be excessive at five (5) or more consecutive days. The school may require a parent/guardian to provide a note from their health care provider.

Students involved in after school activities are expected to attend a full day of school. Students who are absent part or all of the school day are not eligible to practice or compete unless permission is granted by the building athletic/activity director or principal.

DISCLAIMER: The attendance policy will be reviewed at the beginning of each school year for possible changes and/or new regulations.

Tardy Policy

Any student arriving to school or class between one and nine minutes after the tardy bell rings is considered tardy and is expected to report directly to class (no stop at attendance office). Unless the student has an excused note from an Renton High School staff member, the tardy should be considered unexcused and marked in Skyward when the teacher logs and saves attendance.

Student tardies are tracked automatically on a weekly basis through an attendance pull from Skyward. In a given 5-day period, students who accumulate tardies will receive school-based consequences.
Please note: Any student reaching nine or more tardies will lose off-campus privileges and the potential for restrictions on specified extra-curricular activity privileges.

Admin and security will follow a supervision schedule between classes to help support on-time arrival to class. Teachers can support the tardy policy by welcoming students at the door each class period and having posted an immediate Do Now activity for the students to complete. Teachers should provide warnings and reminders about the tardy policy to students when they arrive late to class. Teachers are encouraged to make phone calls to families after students have accumulated 3 tardies in their class and for a continued pattern of tardies. Teachers can contact the Dean of Students for any attendance concerns.

Leave of Absence

In the event of a pre-arranged absence of more than three (3) consecutive days, it is recommended that a progress report be completed by each teacher and returned to the parent prior to the absence. A Leave of Absence form must be picked up in the attendance office by the student, completed, and submitted for to the attendance office for review. Please recognize that absences can have a detrimental effect on a student’s accomplishments and progress and should be communicated to the parents in as specific terms as possible.

If the absence is excused, the student shall be permitted to make up all missed assignments outside of class, under reasonable conditions and time limits established by the teacher, except in classes with a high degree of in-class participation where a student’s grade may be affected because of the student’s inability to make up the activities conducted during the class periods. Check your syllabus/classroom contract carefully or ask specific teachers about their excused absent work policy and timeframes. If the extended absence is determined to be unexcused, the student will not be allowed to make up missed work.

Any student who is aware of reasons that will cause him/her to be absent from class(es) should make arrangements with his/her teachers prior to the absence for appropriate make-up work.

Late Arrivals / Leaving Early

For students’ safety and the school’s liability, all students must check in and/or check out in the attendance office when arriving late or leaving campus early. Verification from a parent is required before a student leaves campus during the day.

Late Arrival

Students arriving at school after the initial 10 minutes (7:30 a.m.) must report to the attendance office and complete a Tardy Slip from the Tardy Kiosk. This includes a student who arrives at school between classes but has missed a class. Once a student has entered a tardy into the kiosk, they must arrive to class promptly. Failure to follow this procedure may result in disciplinary action.

Early Dismissal

Leaving school early is possible only in emergent situations. If you are picking up your student during school, please sign in with the main office to arrange to pick up you student. Please bring ID and ensure you are listed in Skyward as “family” or “emergency contact”. Be prepared to write and sign a note stating the reason for the early dismissal to ensure your student is safe and our attendance records are accurate. On the day following the early dismissal, the student must present an Admit to Class slip from the Attendance Office to his/her teachers.

If a student becomes ill, he/she MUST REPORT to the Health Clinic (Nurse). Under no circumstances is a student to leave campus without prior permission from a parent/guardian.

Truancy

Unauthorized absence from school/class(es) at any time other than during lunch break will be considered a truancy. In instances of truancy, the student may not be allowed to make up work missed. Regarding the BECCA Bill, which is Washington State’s truancy law, if a student reaches seven (7) unexcused absences in one (1) month or ten (10) unexcused absences total in a school year, it will cause the school to file a BECCA petition with the Juvenile Court System for Truancy. A student missing three or more class periods in a school day constitutes a day of absence.

The school takes measures to provide interventions with a student’s developing attendance concerns. Interventions include: a letter home to families notifying them of their student’s unexcused full day absence at 3, 5, and 10 days, daily automated calls notifying families of unexcused absences from class, meetings with parent/guardian and student for attendance contact and supports the school may be able to provide.

Disciplinary action for truancy may include, but are not limited to, parent/guardian telephone contact, detention, and/or Wednesday School detention.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Renton School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Our Non-Discrimination Policy provides full detail of our commitment.

Weapons and Safety

Possession, brandishing, or use of weapons or explosive devices (real or imitation) is in violation of Renton School District policy 4120, including, but not limited to firearms, dangerous weapons, mace, tasers, knives, and other items listed within that policy. This includes when a student acts with malice as defined under RCW 9A.04.110 and displays a device that appears to be a firearm.

Disciplinary action for violations of weapons and safety will be determined by administrator based on severity and will include up to an expulsion from school. Direct weapons violation involving a firearm will result in a minimum 1-year expulsion.

Hall Pass Policy

Students cannot leave class during the first or last 10 minutes of class, unless given a pass from an office. During the appropriate time, students must have a hall pass to be in the hallway. Student’s without passes in the hallway will be returned to class. Repeat offenders will face disciplinary action that may include losing exit privileges for the remainder of the semester.

Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (including incidents involving technology and hazing)

School Dress Requirements

Dress and appearance must not present health/safety problems or cause disruption. Students are expected to come to school or school activities well groomed, neatly and appropriately dressed. All students must wear shoes.

Clothing that carries a sexual, vulgar, violent, or offensive message, references the use of profanity, sex, drugs, alcohol, gang affiliation, etc. will not be permitted. Pants must be at worn at the waist (no sagging). Skirts, jumpers, shorts and capris must be finger-tip length or longer. Students may not wear midriff-type apparel. Visible under garments, see-through, or revealing clothing is not acceptable. Holes and shredding on jeans, pants, etc. are not permitted without spandex underneath to prevent revealing bare skin. Head coverings that obscure the face are not allowed to be worn inside any building on campus for safety/identification purposes; the head covering must have an RHS logo, a college/university logos, and/or recognized sports team logos on it. This does not apply to religious head coverings such as a hijab. It is understood that individual teachers, in consultation with the school administrator, may restrict attire for safety and health issues. The administration has the authority to make changes at any time to the above dress code based on either safety or health or educational reasons.

If a student is found in violation of the school dress code policy, an effort by staff, collaboratively with the student, will be made to rectify the situation. If the situation is unable to be rectified, the student will not be allowed to enter the regular classroom and will serve the remainder of the day in In-School Suspension (ISS).

PHYSICAL EDUCATION/GYM ATTIRE

Suiting up for physical education class is required for class every day. Suiting up means physically changing from the clothing worn to school, to different athletic clothing, designed for physical activity.

Fighting, Assault, and Verbal Abuse

Students are prohibited from engaging in a verbal, cyber, or physical conflict with each other. Students who witness a conflict should immediately report it to the nearest adult. For student who engage in or instigate verbal, cyber, or physical altercations disciplinary action may include, but not limited to, behavioral intervention, after school detention, in-school suspension, out of school suspension, or restorative practice implementation.

NOTE: Depending on circumstances, steps may be skipped (i.e., fight/assault with gang implications). Subsequent violations within 36 months considered cumulative. Students involved with instigating or encouraging a verbal, cyber, or physical altercations may receive disciplinary actions.

Drugs and Alcohol

Possession, use, and/or distribution of drugs, alcohol, or tobacco are a violation of federal and state law and Renton School District policy. A student found smelling like, in possession of drugs/alcohol or paraphernalia, using/ under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol during the school day, on school property/adjacent to school property, or at school functions will face disciplinary action that will progress with each offense.

Distribution/Selling will be dealt with in accordance with the Renton School District policy and result in up to an expulsion from school on the first offense with contact made to the Renton Police Department.

Note: Drug/alcohol violations within 36 months may be considered cumulative.

Tobacco , Nicotine, and Vape Products

Students may not participate in smoking/vaping, use of tobacco products or products containing nicotine, or possess tobacco products on the school premises or at school-sponsored functions.

First Offense: Complete Tobacco Intervention Packet / or research on effects of tobacco use on the human body which may occur within In-School Suspension program.
Second Offense: Complete Tobacco Intervention Packet or research on effects of tobacco use on the human body which may occur within In-School Suspension program, and attend extended after school detention.
Third and Subsequent Offenses: Complete Tobacco Intervention Packet or research on effects of tobacco use on the human body which may occur within In-School Suspension program, and attend extended after school detention and/or progressive discipline.

Note: Refusal to complete Tobacco Intervention Packet or research of effects of the use of tobacco on the human body shall be considered a tobacco related offense for which the student may receive school discipline as set forth by school and district policy.

Defiance, Non-Compliance, Disrespect, and Disrupting School

Refusal to obey reasonable requests, instructions, and directives of any school personnel, including volunteers or contractors working for the school is strictly prohibited. Defiance includes dress or appearance in violation of Policy 3224 that the student either refuses to correct at the directive of a school administrator, or that is a persistent and repeated violation of Policy 3224. Defiance of school authority can also include intentional disruptive behavior. Disciplinary action for this behavior will be determined by the administrator/Dean of Students based on the severity of the incident. Disciplinary action may include, but not limited to, behavioral intervention, detention, in-school suspension, or restorative practice implementation.

Theft / Stealing

Students suspected of theft/stealing will be afforded a “due process” opportunity, which will include a full and thorough investigation. If confirmed, disciplinary action for this behavior will be determined by the administrator/Dean of Students based on the severity of the incident. Disciplinary action may include, but not limited to, behavioral intervention, detention, in-school suspension, or restorative practice implementation. Note, this includes cases of shoplifting/theft off – campus during school hours.

Vandalism / Damage to School

Gang Related Activity

Per RCW 28A.600.445 a gang is defined as a group of people who interact among themselves, have identifiable leadership, take upon themselves an identity and/or a group name, claim a physical territory, and engage together in one or more forms of anti – social behavior and/or criminal activity on a regular or ongoing basis. Student behavior, dress, signing, or symbolism intended to represent gang affiliation will not be tolerated on school grounds or at school sponsored events. Gang related symbols/items change from time to time and may include, but are not limited to hats, bandanas/bandana print of any color, jewelry, clothing colors/styles, use of hand signals, tattoos, graffiti, and symbols of affiliation. When an issue of concern is present, the student(s) involved will be notified and asked not to display such symbolism again and items will be confiscated. Subsequent violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action. Direct involvement with gang activity on or near school campus will result in disciplinary action that may include expulsion.

Failure to Comply with Disciplinary Actions

When students are issued a disciplinary consequence, they are expected to complete the consequence in the time allotted to them. Students are responsible for their own transportation home when serving a disciplinary consequence that requires them to stay after school.

After School Detention

After school detention is from 2:15 – 3:00 p.m. After school detentions are to be served with a teacher or staff member of the student’s choice by the assigned date. Failure to serve after school detention by the assigned deadline will results in the following:

Reminder to serve after school detention
If failed to serve after reminder, assigned to one hour campus clean-up, parent contact will be made.

In-School Suspension

A student who fails to successfully complete In-School Suspension may be re-assigned to serve in-school suspension or complete community service hours.

Wednesday School

A student who fails to successfully complete an afterschool Wednesday School assignment will be subject to the following:

1st Offense:
- Re-assigned for the following Wednesday School detention and to an additional Wednesday School detention, parent contact.
2nd Offense:
- Assigned to In School Suspension and/or
- Community service

Electronic and Communication Devices

Students are expected to bring only those items necessary to their educational tasks. District policy states that students with cell phones may use them before school, after school, and during lunch. At the discretion of the teacher, students may be allowed optional (not required) use of specified electronic devices. The teacher will clearly communicate how the device should be used and students must comply with the directions given and not use the devices during any other time in class. Electronic devices are not allowed during class time inside the classroom or in the hallway unless directed by the teacher. Staff members may confiscate electronic devices when misused in any way. Electronic devices may not be charged in classrooms at school. If your device loses its battery charge, you will need to wait until you are home to charge it.

First Offense: Warning and request by teacher to power off electronic device and put it away.
Second Offense: Confiscated by teacher for the remainder of the class period and returned to student at end of class.
Third Offense: Confiscated by teacher and given to Dean of Students. Dean of Students contacts parent/guardian and parent/guardian must pick-up phone.

REMINDER: Lost and stolen cell phones are NOT the responsibility of the Renton School District. We will NOT spend/use school resources to look for stolen cell phones. Any allowed electronic use is optional, so students are encouraged to leave personal devices at home.

Gender-Inclusive Schools

Renton School District believes in fostering an educational environment that is safe and free of discrimination for all students, regardless of gender expression, gender identity, or sex. Our Gender-Inclusive Schools policy recognizes the importance of an inclusive approach toward transgender and gender-expansive students with regard to key terms, communication and the use of names and pronouns, student records, confidential health and education information, communication, restroom and locker room use and accessibility, sports and physical education, dress codes, and other school activities, in order to provide these students with an equal opportunity for learning and achievement.

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