WELCOME BACK FROM THE DEANS' OFFICE

We're excited to welcome everyone back and also to get to know the newest members of our LFHS family, the freshmen! Your deans this year remain the same. Dean Clegg and Dean Silver's specific case loads (based on grade and last name). Please read through the following important information, as some of it is new for this school year.

Our attendance policy remains the same as the last few years. Here’s an overview:

• ATTENDANCE POLICY: In order to be in compliance with the state of Illinois School Code, students who exceed 9 absences per class per semester can lose credit in that course.

• The 9 absences includes Parental Excusals (P) and Unexcused absences (U)

• Absences will be coded in PowerSchool. Only Parental Excusals and Unexcused absences count towards the 9 absences.

• Parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to schedule appointments, vacations, and other events outside of the school day. Please note appointments for well visits, physicals, dental, orthodontic, etc. are considered Parental Excusals. As such, a doctor’s note is not needed, and the absence will not count as “medical”. We encourage these to be scheduled during non-school hours or during a student’s regular study hall. Doctor’s notes for situations where a doctor advises a student not to be in school (such as surgeries, strep throat, flu, etc) should be emailed directly to your student’s dean.

• In order to strategize so that students do not exceed 9 absences, an Attendance Meeting will be scheduled when 7 absences have been accumulated.

• The meeting will include the student, parent/guardian, teacher, and the student’s CORE Team.

• An attendance plan will be created and will include the following information:

1. Conversation and documentation regarding the lack of consistent attendance

2. Impact attendance is having on classroom performance

3. Plan to address the attendance issue

4. Number of absences allowed for the remainder of the semester

***If the student exceeds the remaining absences listed in the attendance plan, the student will be dropped from the class. Depending on circumstances, the student may potentially be enlisted in credit recovery.

UNEXCUSED ABSENCES: Students who receive an unexcused absence in a class (also known as skipping a class) will receive a 30 minute detention. On the second unexcused absence, the student will earn a Thursday Detention. Students will be required to stay after school until 5:30pm. Transportation for those needing it will be available. If a student does not attend the Thursday Detention they will not be allowed to attend any athletics/clubs/activities AND will be in an In-school suspension on Friday.

• TARDIES: Students tardy to class will be notified by their teacher when they arrive late. Tardies will be marked in PowerSchool. Every three tardies a student receives in a class will result in notification being sent home. (3, 6, 9, 12 tardies for example).

• Students will receive a warning from the deans’ office on their 3rd tardy, a 30 minute detention after 6 tardies, and a 60 minute detention after 9 tardies as well as a conversation with the student, teacher, parent/guardian, and dean. A 2 hour Thursday detention will result after 12 tardies.

• OFF CAMPUS PRIVILEGES: This is a privilege for SENIORS ONLY

• Passes for off campus must be approved by a parent/guardian and can be obtained by completing the required Google Form that was previously emailed to the parents of the senior class

• Students must remain on campus if they do not have an off campus pass

• Students with passes will exit/enter the building through the front commons

• Off campus privileges may be used during lunch and Senior Study Hall

• Students in Athletic Study Hall must remain on campus

• ***NEW THIS YEAR*** Seniors who exceed 9 absences, will LOSE SENIOR PRIVILEGE

• DETENTIONS: Students who receive a detention(s) for any reason (attendance, tardies, disciplinary) will be required to serve that detention within 24 hours. Detentions will be served in the Testing Center in the Library. Students will have the option to serve detentions either before school (open 7:30am until the start of school) or after school (3:30pm - 4:30pm)

• STUDENTS WHO HAVE NOT SERVED THEIR DETENTIONS IN THE TIME ALLOTTED WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN ATHLETICS/CLUBS/ACTIVITIES UNTIL THEIR DETENTION IS SERVED! An email will be sent to your coach/sponsor any time a detention has not been served.




• SOCIAL PROBATION: Students who are not in good standing with the Deans’ Office will not be allowed at school events outside of the school day, including but not limited to dances, football games and basketball games. Social probation includes failure to serve detentions and/or Saturday detentions.

We all want our students to get the BEST education possible and be prepared for life after high school. Sometimes, for some students, cell phones can be a barrier to the robust learning environment provided by our educators. To help with this, teachers will again provide a cell phone caddy in the classroom for students to keep their phones secure and to be able to maintain focus on instruction. ALL students are expected to use the cell phone caddy as they enter the classroom, unless otherwise directed. Please review the policy HERE

In the past few years the school made an extra effort, based on feedback, to make sure that ALL students feel safe at LFHS. As SCOUTS, we are a family. From students to teachers to staff and beyond, we all belong. We partnered with the school’s SIIP team (School Innovation and Improvement Plan) to continue making our school a better and safer place for ALL students. LFHS is a place for everyONE. The deans’ office is working to support this initiative which focuses on RESPECT. Regardless of differences, choices, and/or views, everyONE has a right to feel safe at LFHS! We hope students take pride in being UPSTANDERS and not bystanders. If you see something, say something. It’s THE SCOUT WAY!

We take violations of our harassment policies very seriously. Please make yourself aware of the violations and consequences. This includes violations of Title IX. If you hear something, see something, or something happens to you, please report it to the Deans' Office immediately!

You can find the Levels of Offenses and Student Prohibited Behavior chart starting on page 32 of the online Student and Family Handbook (linked here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tpIosTSzZKjfCGqu-dn8ZgX4EJw7nCYf/view)

We are excited to partner with all of YOU to create the happiest, safest, and strongest year at LFHS for your student(s)!. We have said it before and we will say it again…. Our goal continues to be helping our students grow both academically and socially emotionally. We believe combining strong relationships with a level of accountability helps in this growth. As always, our doors are open. Please reach out with any questions!

Sincerely your deans,

Jonathan Silver & Laura Clegg

jsilver@lfschools.net & lclegg@lfschools.net