Attendance Procedures (Clearing an Absence)

Each student has three school days to clear an all-day absence. If he/she fails to do so, the absence is classifed as a truancy. If the student is tardy over 30 minutes into the class, it is considered truant. Truancies cannot be cleared and make-up work/tests will not be given. Each student has one day to clear a single period absence. For more information on tardy and truancy policies, see the Student Behavior Guidelines.

Bicycles and Skateboards

In order to minimize accidents in the hallways, students are not to ride bicycles or skateboards on campus at anytime. Please walk with them from the public sidewalk to the secured fenced area behind the ASB Building. Racks are provided to park and lock all bicycles and skateboards. Bicycles and skateboards will be confiscated if students are discovered riding them until parents come to claim them.

Career Center

The Career Center, located behind the Media Center, is available to students and parents each school day. Students should become familiar with the Guidance Information System (GIS), the College View Program and other software programs to help them make informed decisions. The Career Center is available and used by students, parents and staff. Services include:

Career Exploration College Information Scholarship Information

Applications Military Information

Apprenticeship Information Job Showing Program

Vocational/Trade School Information Job Placement

Work Permits Program Enrollments

Work Experience Education Computer Systems

Career Testing

Several interest inventories and aptitude batteries are available to students. All 9th grade students will take the E-Choices interest inventory, the COPS Interest Inventory in the 10th grade and will have the opportunity to take the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) in the 11th grade. The results of the inventory interest tests will be discussed with each student and kept in their portfolio housed in the Career Center.

Change of Address

Students are responsible for keeping the school informed of any changes of address or phone number that can be used in case of emergency.

Closed Campus

No student is to leave the campus at any time during school hours—for any reason—except by pass from Attendance, Health, or R.O.P. offices. All visitors must receive permission to be on campus and secure a pass from the receptionist at the front office. Students may earn the privilege for an off-campus lunch pass. An individual student’s GPA and STAR test results determine this privilege.

Electronic Devices

Electronic devices are not allowed including CD players, headphones, radios or walkie-talkies. Some pagers are permitted for medical reasons. These reasons must be cleared in advance through the Dean’s Office. Cellular phones and pagers are not to be used during the school day. They are to be kept silent and out of sight so as not to be disruptive to the learning environment (EC 48901.5) If cell phones/pagers are detected, they will be confiscated and turned over to the Deans’ Office.

Fees

Fees for lost or overdue books must be paid before students are cleared for graduation or admission to fall classes. Fees are paid at the ASB office. ASB accepts no checks past April---Cash Only.

Field Trips

Each student must get clearance from each teacher on a blue card before attending an all-day field trip. In addition, a parent signature must be on file granting permission for all off-campus activities.

Food Services

A selection of sandwiches, salads, fresh fruit, chips, and beverages is available from locations throughout the quad and cafeteria building during lunch. Snacks are available from the cafeteria during the nutrition recess. Applications for free or reduced breakfast/lunch may be picked up in the cafeteria office. Students may eat lunch throughout the quad, but no food or drink is allowed in any classroom. Wherever students choose to eat, they are expected to show pride in WCHS by keeping the area free of trash.

Graduation Requirements

To receive a high school diploma from West Covina Unified School District, students must complete the following credits:

Hallways and Hall Passes

During class all hallways should remain empty. Students excused from a classroom while classes are in session must carry Hall Passes. WCHS uses a standardized pass system. While using the hallways during class, students are expected to maintain an academic learning environment by not running, yelling, using profane language, or making excessive noise.

Identification Cards

All students are given a current WCHS ID card upon registration. Every student must carry his/her current ID at all dances. As the name indicates, the card is used for identification of the holder. No library services or business transactions will be provided to any student not presenting their I.D. card. These cards are provided free of charge; pictures are taken during registration. It is each student's responsibility to make sure his/her ID picture has been taken. Students new to the school or anyone who loses his/her card must go to the ASB office to make arrangements for their card. Replacement ID cards are issued at a charge of $5.00. These ID cards are also used in the cafeteria.

Internet Usage Agreement

All students must have a WCUSD Internet Acceptable Use Policy Release (Form 7007) on file with the Media Center to use school computers in our labs. Juniors and seniors enrolled at the Academy campus need an additional signed release on file at the Academy campus for an Internet access account.

Law Enforcement

School Resource Officers (SROs) are a vital resource to our school and provide many programs and links to the community. Although a police presence on campus is assuring to our community, some students may feel intimidated by law enforcement officers. Students should feel free to ask any questions concerning the law and make every effort to cooperate with our SRO when required to do so.

Lockers

A limited number of lockers are available for the safekeeping of books and other student property needed at school. Do not plan on having a locker. WCHS accepts no responsibility for vandalism or lost articles. Students are encouraged to remove all items from their lockers at the end of each school day and weekends because of the threat of locker vandalism and theft. The school reserves the right to search lockers at any time in the interest of a safe and orderly school operation.

Lost and Found

If clothing, books, backpacks or notebooks have been lost, check first in the Media Center. The Media Center staff maintains a Lost and Found cabinet.

Make-up Work

If a student is ill or unable to attend school, the parent should call the counseling office to inquire about make-up work. Usually, make-up assignments can be collected from teachers and the parent may stop by the school to pick them up within 48 hours.

Media Center

The Media Center maintains a study hall atmosphere throughout the school day and after school. Many services are available and the staff is there to assist students with academic needs. The computers are available whenever teachers have not reserved them for use during their classes. Library books are available for circulation to students with an I.D. card. Students are financially responsible for all items including textbooks, that are checked out. Unpaid fees, damages and losses may result in the student not participating in graduation ceremonies.

Medical Appointments

If parents need their student to leave school for an appointment or other preplanned commitments, a phone call to the attendance office should be placed before the time the student leaves. When the parent arrives to pick up the student, the parent should report to the attendance office and the student will be called from class. Upon returning from an appointment, the student should report to the attendance office before going back to class. If a student leaves school without getting clearance through the office, that student is marked truant.

Medication

By law, any medication that is to be taken while in school must be stored and administered in the Health Office, where the Health clerk can verify it has been prescribed. Staff may not dispense medication, including aspirin.

Messages and Deliveries

Messages delivered to students during class time are limited to official school business and urgent parent communication as relayed through the counseling office. We encourage students not to have items delivered. The delivery of balloons or flowers to students during the school day is prohibited as it can disrupt the learning environment. All deliveries will be kept at the front office for the student to pick up at the end of the day.

Newspaper

The school newspaper, NewsBytes, provides students with bi-monthly information about activities and events around the campus. This paper is provided free for all students

Parking Passes

Student parking is located at the "Tennis Court Parking Lot." All other campus parking lots are designated faculty parking or visitor parking. Students must have proof of current car insurance on file with the ASB Office to obtain parking permits for both our main campus and the academy campus. Parking permits must be on display at all times within the student vehicle or cars will be cited. Students are not to use their cars as lockers. Once the car is parked for the day, access is restricted to secure each parking lot.

Rallies and Assemblies

Although there are a number of optional lunch time rallies planned throughout the year to generate school spirit, publicize our athletic programs, and showcase our performing groups, ASB has planned seven "all-school" rallies that require a special Assembly Schedule:

September 19 All School Fall Spirit Rally To recognize fall sports programs

September 29 Renaissance Assembly To recognize academic excellence

October 17 Homecoming Stadium Rally To celebrate Homecoming festivities

January 9 All School Winter Spirit Rally To recognize winter sports programs

February 23 Renaissance Assembly To recognize academic excellence

April 9 Intercultural Assembly To celebrate our cultural diversity

June 4 Celebration Assembly Year end recognition of our school’s finest

Teachers will be given notice of assemblies (held in the gym) several weeks in advance in order to reserve a space for their class on a first come, first served basis. Teachers may elect to withhold assembly participation due to unreasonable time constraints or uncooperative class behavior. Not all classes fit in the gym. Classes without reserved seating will be turned away from assemblies.

Student Drop Off

Student pick-up and drop-off zones are located along Fernwood and Cameron Avenue before and after school. During school hours, however, all gates are locked and student access is restricted. Please inform parents to use only the visitor parking area near the administration building for late drop-offs.

Student Store

Open during nutrition, during lunch and after school, our student store provides snacks, drinks, ice cream, PE uniforms, school supplies, spirit items and spirit wear. The student store is located in the ASB Building near the center of the quad. Tickets to many events are sold through the ASB windows during lunch. All profits from the Student Store and the vending machines on campus help to support our student activities and athletic programs.

Textbooks

Students are responsible for textbooks that are issued to them. It is the student’s duty to put a book cover on each textbook and maintain it in good condition. Free book covers are often available from the Media Center. Charges will be levied for lost or damaged books. When a student withdraws from a class, textbooks must be returned to the Media Center.

Visitor Parking

Limited parking spaces are available for short-term parking. These spaces are located in the Fernwood lot in front of the Administration Building. Please do not park in any space designated for school personnel. Remember that all visitors to WCHS must check in at the front office.

Yearbooks

The WCHS yearbook, Quest, provides students with a photographic record of memorable events from the school year. The yearbook may be purchased along with an ASB card in the beginning of the school year for a special reduced rate of $90. The price of the book increases through the year. Yearbooks are sold at the Student Store the last Monday and Tuesday of each month. ASB accepts no checks past April---Cash Only.

August and September $60

October through January $65

February through May $70 (if there are any remaining)