Tiger Updates: We hope this new communication tool helps keep families up to date.

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Smith-Cotton Students and Families,

As we move closer to our start date of August 28th, we want to communicate important updates and changes for the 2023-2024 school year. We’ve compiled several points of interest below for your convenience. Continue to watch for future messages as we will communicate any new important information as soon as it becomes available. We look forward to seeing you soon, Tigers!

• The building will open at 7:50AM for both bus riders and car drivers/riders. Students must enter through the main gym doors. After 8:10AM, car drivers may enter through the main front doors. A breakfast option will be available every morning in the cafeteria for students who wish to eat a school breakfast. Breakfast will stop being served every morning at 8:10 am to allow students time to travel to 1st period.

• Students in grades 10-12 need to bring their school-issued Chromebook charged and ready to school on the first day. Most Freshmen received their Chromebook at Open House on August 23rd. If your Freshman didn't they will receive it along with all new students on the first day of school.

• Student schedules are available for viewing on SIS. There will be no printed schedules! Students need to access their schedule via the Student 360 app on their phone or Chromebook or take a picture/screenshot before the first day of school.

• Please click here to review the 2023-24 Technology Handbook, including information about Chromebook insurance.

• Please click here for important information on parent dropoff and pickup.

School Picture Day is Tuesday, September 5th. Inter-State Studios will provide students with a code that can be used to order pictures online if they so choose. We ask that all students have their picture taken regardless of whether they plan on purchasing so they are included in the yearbook and for student ID purposes.

Our goal each school year is to ensure that every student attends school regularly. Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic success. We realize some absences are unavoidable due to health problems or other circumstances. However, we also know that when students miss too much school— regardless of the reason – it can cause them to fall behind academically. Your child is less likely to succeed if he or she is chronically absent—which means missing 8 or more days over the course of a semester. We simply ask with the unique circumstances this school year that you communicate if your student is going to be absent from school. If you are sick, we ask that you stay home. The key is communication. We will all work together for your child’s success at Smith-Cotton. If your student sees the doctor during their absence, please have them bring documentation upon returning to school. Please take a minute to review the Smith-Cotton High School attendance policy below.

ATTENDANCE POLICY–

• Any absence beyond eight (8) per class per semester may result in loss of credit without medical documentation or administrative approval.

• Student attendance will be checked periodically by a building administrator, counselor, and/or social worker. Parents/guardians will be notified of the student’s attendance record after four absences.

• When a student has exceeded the absences limit in a class: Parent/guardian will be notified by the administration, via phone call, home visit and/or letter.

• Make-up Privileges

• Upon returning to school, after being absent and receiving an excused absence, it is the student’s responsibility to ask the teachers for make-up work.

• Make up work will be due one (1) day after the missed day.

• Students who have excused absences from school will have the number of school days they were absent to complete make-up work, except by special arrangement with the teacher.

• Make-up for final exams requires administrative approval.

• Students missing school time due to field trips, extra-curricular, and co-curricular activities must obtain their homework ahead of time or no credit will be given.

• Appeals will be considered only on the basis of medical records, emergencies, or special circumstances (example: COVID-19). Loss of credit due to truancy is not a valid basis for appeal. If the student or his/her parent/guardian feel that the absences were unavoidable, they may file a request to present their information to the Appeals Committee. The Appeals Committee will be composed of an administrator, counselor, and/or school nurse, and special education coordinator (when applicable).

NUCOR Sedalia Attendance Battles:

We will continue our grade level attendance battles. Weekly attendance % will be calculated and posted on the NUCOR Attendance Board. The winning grade level will receive their prize in the cafeteria each month. Thank you, NUCOR Sedalia!

Students are not allowed to have their cell phones out during class periods. All smart watches should be turned to airplane mode during class periods, all wireless headphones will also be put away during class periods (unless permitted by the teacher for instructional purposes). Students that have a cell phone out during a class period will be asked to hand their phone over to their teacher. We have listed the consequences below:

If a teacher observes a student with a cell phone in their possession during class time, the following may occur:

1st offense - Teacher will confiscate phone for the remainder of the class period. Teacher will contact the parent/guardian and document in SIS.

2nd offense - Phone will be confiscated by the teacher and held by administration for the remainder of the day. Teacher will complete a discipline referral for the student.

3rd offense and beyond - Phone will be confiscated by the teacher and held by administration. Parent/guardian may be required to pick up the cell phone. Administration may have a set number of school days the student will turn in their cell phone to the office before the start of the school day. Teacher will complete a discipline referral for the student.

Refusal to turn over cell phone - The student will be directed straight to administration.

Restroom Breaks - If a student needs to leave the classroom to use the restroom, they are required to leave their cell phone on the teacher’s desk. They may pick their phone back up off the teacher’s desk when they return from the restroom. This will help eliminate students from being gone for long periods of time from the classroom or requesting to use the restroom when not necessary.

Use of cell phones will be permitted during passing time between classes, lunch, and before/after school. Should an emergency arise in which a student needs to make contact with a parent or guardian, they will be permitted to come to the front office and use the designated student phone. The purpose of this change is to eliminate interruptions during instructional time. Reduced distractions mean more engaged students and in return, the opportunity for improved academic performance.

A high school dress code is put in place to ensure certain standards are met and maintained. I am resending our current dress code to allow all students and parents to review. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to the administration. We ask that each family take time to review our dress code and make sure to follow the expectations accordingly. Below I have highlighted two areas students are struggling to follow. We appreciate your help as parents/guardians in maintaining a productive learning environment at SCHS.

STUDENT DRESS CODE AND APPEARANCE:

Student dress and grooming will be the responsibility of the individual and parent/guardian within the following guidelines.

• Dress and grooming will be clean and in keeping with health, sanitary, and safety requirements.
• All students must wear shoes, boots, or other types of footwear.
• Clothing with obscene or profane words/pictures or that promotes drugs, alcohol, or tobacco are not acceptable.
• Class activities, which present a concern for student safety, may require the student to adjust hair and/or clothing during the class period.
• Bare midriffs, halter-type t-shirts, low-cut tops, spaghetti-strap shirts, t-shirts with sides cut out are not permitted.
• Bermuda shorts, dress shorts, coaching shorts, or walking shorts are appropriate. Short shorts are discouraged.
• Sunglasses or head coverings of any type may NOT be worn in school buildings or carried into any classroom.
• Laws concerning the display of the flag of the United States are to be strictly observed at all times.
• Heavy coats will not be worn during school.
• Blankets are not to be carried to classrooms.
• Sagging, long-hanging belts and billfold chains are prohibited.
• House slippers are prohibited.
• Underwear may NOT be worn as outwear or exposed.
• All garments are required to be non-transparent unless accompanied by undergarments that are not underwear.
• Any dress or grooming that may be interpreted to interfere with the educational process will not be permitted in the schools.
• Additional dress regulations may be imposed upon students participating in certain extracurricular activities or in the classroom.
• When, in the judgment of the administrator, a student’s appearance or mode of dress disrupts the educational process, or constitutes a threat to health or safety, the student may be required to make modifications.
• Common sense and a reasonable attitude should eliminate the need to correct students in the area of dress and personal appearance.

You can create a parent observer account to link to your student's Canvas account. This will allow you to check on grades, class announcements, and other coursework. If you created a Canvas Observer account last year you are good to go. If you have multiple children at SCJH or SC, you can combine all students into one account. Below you will find an infographic to lead you through creating an account as well as a slideshow for more detailed directions regarding Canvas Observer Accounts.