At the High School Level - At Liberty Charter High School, regular attendance and punctuality are a vital part of a student's education. LCHS teachers implement a high level of direct teaching and interactive learning and both students and teachers are held accountable to complete a set of standards and benchmarks.  These teaching techniques do not allow students to simply make-up concepts missed.  In accordance with our charter, LCHS has a 96% attendance standard. Every effort should be made by students, parents and administration to ensure that students are in attendance and punctual every day. A year-round school calendar is provided well in advance to allow families to schedule activities during breaks.

     Students are expected to attend classes regularly. Each time a student enters a class more than 15 minutes after it has started, or is absent for more than 15 minutes while the class is in session, the student will be charged with an unexcused absence.  A student arriving less than 15 minutes late will be tardy, and three (3) such late arrivals are treated as one (1) unexcused class absence.  If a student has more than three (3) unexcused class absences during any school day, the student will also be noted as having a full day unexcused class absence.

     EXCUSED ABSENCES- The Administration and Governing Board recognize that there are circumstances when a student may need to participate in another event or activity rather than attend class.  An absence will be considered "excused" if the student could not attend class because he/she is ill, or is attending a funeral or wedding of an immediate family member, and the student's parent/guardian provides reasonable evidence that this was the cause of the absence.  However, the cumulative affect of regular class attendance is critical to the learning experience that Liberty Charter offers, which the student missed even when the absence is excused.

    UNEXCUSED ABSENCES- absences due to non-school related activities, club or family events, trips or vacations, and any absences not reported to the school by a parent/guardian within two school days of the student's return to school.

     EFFECT OF CLASS ABSENCES - A student who has class absences from the same class in any one semester is subject to the following sanctions for the class:

Number of Absences	Sanction
3 unexcused absences	The grade the student would otherwise receive is reduced by on full letter grade.
5 unexcused absences or any combination of 9 unexcused and excused absences	The student will be given a failing grade for the class.

      A student may be subject to sanctions in more than one class if the student has the requisite number of class absences for each class that a sanction is being applied to.

     EFFECT OF SCHOOL DAY ABSENCES - If the student has the indicated number of general school day absences in a semester, then in addition to any sanction for class absences, the student is subject to the following sanctions.

Number of Absences	Sanction
3 unexcused absences	The grade that the student would otherwise receive in all classes will be reduced by on full letter grade.
5 unexcused absences or any combination of 9 unexcused and excused absences	This represents habitual truancy and a request will be submitted to the Governing Board  that the student be permanently expelled from the school.

     EXPULSION - A student will be expelled only after the Governing Board has given written notice to the parent/guardian of the student, stating in that notice that grounds for the proposed expulsion, and specifying a time and place where the parent/guardian of the student may appear to contest the proposed action of the Board.  This notice shall also state that the student has the right to be represented by counsel, to produce witnesses, and to submit evidence on his/her behalf, and to cross examine any adult witnesses who may appear against him/her.

The Governing Board for Liberty Charter School has reviewed and adopted policies described above and determined that the indicated sanctions, including the expulsion of the student, would be appropriate unless there are extraordinary circumstances.

TARDY POLICY

Five minutes are provided between classes.  A student will receive an unexcused absence if he/she is tardy the first fifteen minutes of any period.  Students arriving after that time are considered truant.

• Students are considered tardy if they are not in the classroom when the class begins.

• Tardies are accumulated for individual classes each semester.

• Three unexcused tardies will be considered any unexcused absence.

TRUANCY

Truancy is defined as a student being absent for all or part of the day without the approval of parent/guardian or school authorities.  This includes students who are on campus but not in their assigned classes.

• At the first truancy, the student will attend Saturday School to perform school service.

• At the second truancy, the student will meet with an administrator to determine consequences.

• At the third truancy, the student and parent will meet with an administrator and governing board representative to  determine if suspension or expulsion is appropriate.

• Any student truant for two consecutive days will be reported to the Canyon County Prosecutor's Office and driving privileges will be revoked.

At the High School Level:

DISCIPLINE POLICY

A primary goal at Liberty Charter High School is to provide a safe and orderly atmosphere that is conducive to learning. Students are expected to always be respectful, polite, honest, kind and to exhibit good work skills and use appropriate language.  Students are expected to follow school rules and policies at all times.

• When students commit an infraction, an incident report will be completed and the administrator or designee will determine a consequence.

• Students with three (3) or more infractions will appear before a Faculty Board of Review and a behavior plan developed and implemented.

• Non-compliance with the behavior plan will result in a Secondary Board of Review that includes parents and community members.

• Continued behavior problems will result in an appearance before the Liberty Charter School Governing Board for possible suspension or expulsion.

FIGHTING AND ITS CONSEQUENCES

No aggressive or threatening behavior, harassment, intimidation or fighting will be tolerated at LCHS.  Parents will be notified of any such incidence.  Fighting being defined as: pushing, shoving, kicking, pulling or physically connecting in an aggressive manner. Incidences of fighting that are witnessed by faculty will be considered battery.

• 1st offense - In School Suspension- 3 days- police notification

• 2nd offense - Temporary Suspension- 1-5 days - police notification

• With the second offense or any subsequent offense, the administrator may make recommendation for Extended Suspension or Expulsion.

WEAPONS

In any incident when a weapon is displayed, used and/or threatened in an aggressive manner, the student will be placed on Emergency Suspension and a recommendation will be made to the Governing Board for Extended Suspension or Expulsion.

DRUG POLICY

LCHS enforces a no tolerance drug policy.  All incidences or suspected incidences will be reported to the administrator and appropriate law enforcement agency.  Disciplinary consequences at school will be developed on a case by case basis.

 

In an effort to provide a safe and orderly school environment for the students, we expect them to follow the  dress guidelines below:

1. Gang attire of any kind is strictly prohibited.  Hair nets, bandanas, garments that are suggestive, garments that advertise illegal substances or obscene statements are not allowed. Pants will be worn at the waist.
2. Brief garments such as halter tops, bare midriffs, tube tops, net tops, tank tops, spaghetti straps, and plunging necklines (front and back) are not appropriate. Shorts may be worn through September and after Spring Break; however, shorts shorter than finger-tip length are inappropriate.
3. Makeup--lipstick, rouge, eye makeup -- are not allowed in grades k-8 at Liberty Charter School. Our focus at Liberty Charter School is to create an educational atmosphere with the fewest disruptions. Makeup is allowed at the High School level.

At the High School Level:

Student Appearance

It is the opinion of the administration and the governing board that student attire has a direct effect upon the educational environment and upon the individual student's ability to function at an optimum level.

Appropriate clothing for class or any school activity must be reasonable, safe, clean, and non-revealing.  An individual's dress and personal appearance should reflect a sensitivity  and respect for others as well as be appropriate in a professional work environment.  the following guidelines are to be followed by students of LCHS.

• Pants are to be worn at the waist.

• Shorts and skirts must be finger tip length or longer.

• Straps must be a minimum of 3 fingers wide.

• Midriffs, cleavage and underclothing will be concealed at all times.

• Students will refrain from wearing gang attire of any kind. Garments that advertise inappropriate or illegal substances or clothing items with suggestive or obscene statements are prohibited.

• Hats, bandanas, and hairnets are prohibited.

• Hair color will be within the natural hair color spectrum (brown, black, blonde or auburn).

• Facial piercing will be limited to small studs in the nose only.

• No facial rings of any kind will be allowed.

• Earrings are acceptable with the exception of ear gauges. EAR GAUGES ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE.

• Tattoos must be concealed during school hours.

Students wearing attire deemed inappropriate by LCHS staff or administrator will be provided alternative clothing to cover up.  This clothing must be laundered and returned to the school the following day.

 

The education of today's children must be considered a team effort by parents, students and teachers. Research shows that the most successful students, regardless of family income levels or ethnic backgrounds, are those who have regularly structured, homework time. This parent-assisted practice serves a dual purpose:

• It allows the student extra practice to reinforce and advance the skills taught in school;
• It communicates to the child his/her priority in the parent's life. This contact time develops more than academic skills, it develops a sense of self-value, and builds memories.

At the High School Level:

Homework allows additional practice and reflection, reinforces skills, and provides practical application and time for additional research.  Homework helps establish a basis for independent and lifelong learning while the discipline of nightly homework creates a habit that will be beneficial throughout life.

At LCHS, it is our intent to require reasonable and constructive assignments that will contribute to the student's success in the classroom.

• Homework assignments are required and will apply to the student's grade.

• Students will record homework assignments in their agendas.

• Students with late or missing assignments will be required to attend lunch detention.

• On the second day of lunch detention with assignments incomplete, student will be assigned after school detention and must stay at school until the assignment is complete.  Transportation must be provided by parent.

• Late assignments will be awarded a lower grade.

• Benchmark assignments must be completed to receive credit.

• Assignments more than one day late may or may not be accepted at the teacher's discretion. (Teachers will establish specific policies for their classes.)

In addition, daily homework for LCHS students includes students being expected to invest time into their families by voluntarily satisfying needs within their homes, as well as complete specific projects with or for their families.

It is not our intention that parents teach their teens, however, parental support and encouragement is essential for many students to be successful. The following have proven beneficial to both parents and students.

• Establish with your student that homework is a priority.

• Establish a regular homework schedule.

• Discuss, read and review assignments periodically.

• Listen to rehearsals of presentations

• Review and discuss grades on completed assignments.