Rules & Regulations
(You can download the Rules & Regulations at the bottom of this page in English and Español)
Santana High School is safe, friendly and informal. In order, however, to maintain a positive school climate, we must have rules which must be fairly and consistently enforced. Think of these rules as the building blocks of a positive school culture and environment which allows every student who wants to improve and further his/her education to do so. These rules are also the tenants of safety, security, protection and well-being of students and employees. You chose Santana over other options, and by enrolling you accept these rules/regulations and your responsibility to follow and uphold.
Each student must follow the rules/regulations and accept the authority of school employees. All school and district rules as well as state and local laws regarding behavior at school also apply on the way to and from school, school sponsored activities and events including activities at any other school or school district.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Regular attendance is the first requirement for a successful high school experience. Students preparing themselves for their lives need to regard daily attendance and punctuality as fundamental for later success. School attendance is also a legal requirement, and all students are expected to attend school every day of the school year. Parents are encouraged to call the attendance office (626) 965-3496 on a regular basis to check on their child's attendance.
Excused absences: illness, medical/dental appointments, court appearance, funeral, observance of a religious holiday, or quarantine by health authorities.
PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW AFTER AN ABSENCE:
The parent should call 965-3496 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to excuse student absences by speaking to the attendance clerk directly. A message may be left by calling (626) 965-3496 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. If we do not receive a call, a note must be brought to school stating: 1. Name of student; 2. Date or dates of absence; 3. Reason for absence; and 4. Signature of parents or guardian. Only the signature on file will be accepted, no exceptions.
After any absence, if the parent has not called and the student is not on the cleared absence list, he/she must bring a note. The note must be dated and signed by the parent/guardian with the reason(s) of the absence included. Parents may also call the attendance office at 965-3694 from 7:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. to clear an absence by talking directly to the attendance clerk. If you call after hours, you may leave a message.
The attendance office opens at 7:15 a.m. All absences must be cleared before the first bell and the student should be present in the first assigned class before the tardy bell rings. The absentee will be issued a re- admit slip and will have to present it in each class.
A student returning from the absence without a note or parent call will be issued a non-cleared absence slip. The absence must then be cleared by a note or call from the parent prior to starting school the next day. Failure to clear an absence will result in that absence being considered a truancy.
Forging of notes, impersonating parents in calls to the Attendance Office or arranging to have other persons do so will result in serious disciplinary action, including suspension.
TRUANCY:
A truancy, also known as a "class cut" is defined as missing an assigned class without a valid excuse. Students must attend all assigned classes. Continued class cuts will result in schedule changes, loss of extra classes, possible removal from enrollment in other programs, loss of work permit, and loss of extra- curricular eligibility. A student returning from a class cut must obtain a re-admit pass from the attendance office prior to the beginning of his/her school day.
TARDIES:
Punctuality (on time arrival) is essential, not only at school, but at work and in most personal relationships. It is the student's responsibility to be on time for school and for classes. A student may be considered truant if he/she arrives more than 30 minutes late without an acceptable and verifiable excuse. Repeated tardiness could result in class schedule to reflect classes beginning in the afternoon as opposed to the morning, the loss of a work permit and/or other appropriate consequences.
CODE OF CONDUCT:
The Code of Conduct for the secondary schools in the Rowland Unified School District states:
It is the responsibility of both home and school to teach students to develop a respect of law and rules in order to provide the best environment possible for effective learning and to participate in a democratic society.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY
1. "All pupils shall comply with the regulations, pursue the required course of study, and submit to the authority of the teachers of the school."2. Quality of work - Student shall, to the best of his/her ability, complete assigned lessons each day, including homework and assignments missed because of absences.
3. School Rules - Each student shall conform to school rules and regulations and accept the leadership of the school staff. Students must also conform to school rules when they are on the way to and from school and at school sponsored activities/events including those on other campuses.
4. Attendance - Students shall be regular and punctual in attendance. In cases of absences, a satisfactory written or telephone explanation from the parent or guardian shall be provided to the school. Students shall remain on the school grounds during the entire school day, unless permission to leave has been granted.
5. Relation to others - Good citizenship in school, as well as elsewhere, includes respect for the rights of others. Students are required to respect the rights and privileges of each person in the school. This includes respect for the property of individuals and of the school.
6. Personal standards - Students shall dress appropriately, meet standards of health and cleanliness, be honest, courteous, and moral; use only acceptable language; and refrain entirely from profanity and obscenity.
DRESS CODE:
It is expected that all students will dress appropriately so that the educational process is not disrupted. For purposes of safety and maintaining continuity of the instructional program, the following is prohibited and may not be worn at school or at school sponsored activities. The administration and faculty reserve the right to modify dress expectations when necessary.
1. Attention diverting attire: short shirts, tank tops, tube tops, spaghetti straps or any clothing that does notcompletely cover the back shoulders or mid-section of the body. No tight, transparent, low-cut or short (6"above knee) clothing.
2. Hats/Beanies: Hats and beanies of any kind are strictly prohibited on campus.
3. Gang related/gang identification attire: clothing worn in such a way, or containing such writing, insignias or colors that are generally understood by local law enforcement and/or school officials to be gang affiliation attire; stockings or kerchiefs used as headwear; military style cloth initial belts; pantswith the waistline two or more inches larger than the wearer's waist or with the leg larger than 5 inches from the wearer's knee to the crease of the pant leg; pants that drag on the ground or are long and split at the ankle; pants worn below the waist or hanging over the top of the buttocks (sagging); shorts ending below the knee with long socks pulled tight showing no skin between the socks and shorts.; plain white T-shirts, gang color tees clothing with graffiti or Old English script, gang symbols or message on clothing or any other gang related attire are prohibited. Each school site may adopt rules that specify the types of sun-protective clothing, including but not limited to hats, which may be worn outdoors during the school day (Education Code 35183.5). Knit hats/caps, bandanas, hairnets, shower- caps, and "Do-Rags" are prohibited. Hats are prohibited. Students may wear sun-protective clothing and/or sun-protective head gear (i.e. a straw or cloth hat with a brim that is 1.5-4 inches wide, white, off-white or tan without design or writing) while outdoors during the school day in accordance with Education Code 35183.5. Approved sun protective hats may only be worn in such a manner as to provide protection from the sun and may only be worn while outside. Religiously required headgear, which is approved by the principal, may be worn.Hats, hoods and other head coverings are not to be worn during school hours or during school activities except as approved by the Principal in advance.
4. Inappropriate messages: Clothing with inappropriate message(s) glamorizing illegal activities, violence against others, use of drugs, sexually related materials or gang activity. Also, any clothing advertising any alcohol or tobacco product is prohibited.
Clothing or accessories compromising health and safety: Bare feet, unstrapped sandals or socks alone; clothing or accessories that may be dangerous to the wearer or to others; dark glasses worn in the building are all prohibited.
Every discipline case will be considered individually within a context of consistent fairness. Factors considered in determining, appropriate action will include the student's prior record, the severity of the behavior, and parental input when available. The following are some of the actions which may be taken in dealing with discipline problems, depending upon individual circumstances.
1. Discussion with student and/or conference with parent.
2. Assignments after schools, including campus beautification duty, detention or other alternative consequences.
3. Suspension from school and/or arrest by law enforcement agencies.
4. Transfer to another program or school.
5. Expulsion, exclusion or exemption.
STUDENTS GUILTY OF REPEAT OFFENSES MAY BE SUSPENDED FOR THE BALANCE OF THE SEMESTER OR EXPELLED FROM THE ROWLAND UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT. STUDENTS GUILTY OF A SERIOUS VIOLATION OF RULES MAY BE EXPELLED UPON THE FIRST OFFENSE.
The Rowland Unified School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic group identification, ancestry, religion, age, marital status, gender, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, and political belief or affiliation in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs and activities including adult and vocation education.