HS- 4:00 PM-Outside of the C-Wing Entrance
MS- 3:50 PM–Back of Middle School
Students must sign up on the activity bus form before 1:00 PM. The form is located on each student's Clever account.
Failure to properly sign up will result in a student being unable to ride the activity bus, disciplinary consequences and/or loss of activity bus privileges.
All regular school bus rules and guidelines apply to the activity bus.
The activity bus is available for students participating in school-sponsored activities. Students who leave the campus for any other
reason, will not be permitted to ride the activity bus.
Students will adhere to the attendance policy as published and explained in the Attendance Information 24-25, available online.
Regular attendance is necessary for a student to be successful academically and required under state law.
For further information refer to WCSD Board Policy #204.
For students needing to leave school early:
Parents/guardians are encouraged to arrange medical, dental, and other appointments for their children after school hours. Any dismissal before the end of the school day must be requested with a signed parental note. The note must:
Be dated.
Give a valid reason for the dismissal.
Specify the student's departure time.
Indicate a telephone number where the parent can be reached.
Be signed by the parent.
Students who have a valid Whitehall High School parking tag may drive to appointments.
For high school students, an "Early Dismissal Slip" will then be issued to the student. This slip must be retained and shown upon request. Parents requesting an early dismissal must sign their student out of school in the attendance office and provide a valid picture ID.
Students signing-in late to school or signing-out early from school for a medical appointment MUST have a medical note upon their return to school in order for their absence to be marked as medically excused.
A student who has been absent from school during a semester for a total of twenty (20) or more school days, shall not be eligible to participate in an Inter-School Practice, Scrimmage, or Contest until the student has been in attendance for a total of forty-five (45) school days following the student’s twentieth (20th) day of absence, except that where there is an excused absence due to a requirement that the student serve as the primary caregiver to a member of the student’s immediate family or a near relative or death in that student’s immediate family or a near relative both as defined in Section 1154 of the Public School Code of 1949, as amended, court subpoena, quarantine, or to attend a religious activity/function which the church requires its members to attend, or an excused absence of five (5) or more school days due to the same confining illness or injury, such excused absence may be waived from the application of this rule by the District Committee. If the establishment of any requirement necessary for the District Committee to exercise its discretion to grant a waiver of five (5) or more excused absences results from illegal conduct on the part of the student, other than absences during which the student, without there having been a criminal conviction or an adjudication of delinquency, is admitted to a substance abuse treatment facility, the District Committee shall not grant the waiver. Attendance at summer school does not count toward the forty-five (45) school days required. Absence from school for an entire semester, or for several semesters, shall disqualify a student for the same period as stated in this Section.
Materials sought to be distributed or posted as part of the curricular or extracurricular programs of the district shall be regulated as part of the school district’s educational program. Students who wish to distribute or post non-school materials on school property shall submit them one (1) day in advance of planned distribution or posting to the building principal or designee. Such materials shall be officially dated, and the school may remove the materials within ten (10) days of the posting or other reasonable time as stated in the administrative regulations or procedures relating to posting. Approved materials are to be displayed on designated bulletin boards only. For further information refer to WCSD Board Policy #220.
Class dues are determined by each class. The dues defray the cost of class activities such as the junior/senior prom and caps/gowns for graduation. Dues must be paid, or they are carried as an obligation from year to year. Students will not be permitted to attend events, such as graduation, or receive their cap and gown until all obligations are paid.
The school district prohibits students from using, possessing, distributing, and being under the influence of any controlled substance during school hours, at any time while on school property, at any school-sponsored activity, and during the time spent traveling to and from school and school-sponsored activities.
Include all:
Controlled substances prohibited by federal and state law
Look-alike drugs
Alcoholic beverages
Anabolic steroids
Drug paraphernalia
Any volatile solvents or inhalants, such as but not limited to glue, pepper sprays, vaporizers and aerosol products
Substances that when ingested cause physiological effects that are similar to the effect of a controlled substance as defined by federal or state law, such as but not limited to herbal incense or other products containing synthetic cannabinoids
Prescription or patent drugs, except those for which permission for use in school had been granted pursuant to Board policy
Any student who possesses or uses a small amount of controlled substances, over the counter or prescription medication, or possesses paraphernalia associated with controlled substances shall be suspended or considered for expulsion in accordance with Board policy. When possession or use is in violation of legal status, the case will be referred to local law enforcement.
If a student should be involved a second time in possessing or using controlled substances or possessing paraphernalia associated with controlled substances, the student’s behavior will be grounds for expulsion of the student from the district.
The case will be referred to local law enforcement and drug counseling services available in the community.
If a student should be involved in possessing a large amount of controlled substances, over the counter or prescription medication, or if a student dispenses or sells controlled substances, over the counter or prescription medication, the student’s behavior will be grounds for expulsion of that student from the district. The expulsion and referral will be treated in accordance with a second offense utilizing law enforcement and drug counseling.
For further information refer to WCSD Board Policy #227.
The school district shall provide the opportunity for non-curricular related student groups to meet on school premises during non-instructional time for the purpose of conducting a meeting within the limited open forum on the basis of religious, political, philosophical, or other content of speech at such meetings. Such meetings must be voluntary, student-initiated, not sponsored in any way by the school, its agents or employees. The meetings of student groups cannot materially and substantially interfere with the orderly conduct of the educational activities in the school.
Google accounts are assigned to all students and may be utilized for online collaboration on various educational assignments/projects. Student Google accounts will include Google drive capabilities such as email, docs, slides, sheets, forms, etc. which may be accessed from home or school. Classroom teachers may assign additional online student accounts for educational purposes consistent with the WCSD Acceptable Use Policy. Please contact the Teaching, Learning, and Technology Department if you have questions/concerns regarding the issuance of educational accounts.
For further information refer to WCSD Board Policy #815.
Only first aid, defined as the immediate temporary care given in case of accident or sudden illness, will be given in school. Parents are requested to make arrangements for necessary transportation when a student needs to go home, to the family doctor or to the hospital. In the case of an emergency, the nurse will request for an ambulance.
All students becoming ill or injured are not to contact a parent/guardian for pick up prior to seeing the school nurse. The nurse will notify the parent/guardian in the event the child is to be sent home or is in need of more medical attention. If the student contacts a parent/guardian for pick up prior to seeing the school nurse and the illness/injury does not warrant going home per district guidelines, the absence will be unexcused.
Lockers are assigned to students in grades 4-12.
Student and athletic lockers and locks are the property of the school.
Students may not share lockers.
Students will be issued a combination lock for their locker at the beginning of the school year.
Students are required to return their assigned lock at the end of the year. If the student loses, damages, or fails to return their assigned lock, a replacement cost will be charged to the student.
A student’s locker may be opened and searched by an administrator any time there is reasonable suspicion to believe that the locker’s contents pose a danger to the health, safety and welfare of other students and staff or when there is a reasonable suspicion that its contents may be disruptive to the educational process.
Students should keep lockers closed, locked, and combinations secured. Locker repair requests can be made at the main office.
All lockers are emptied and thoroughly cleaned during the summer vacation. It is the student’s responsibility to take home all articles of value. Those articles collected by the custodial staff during the summer are given to non-profit organizations or discarded. Students may not be assigned the same lockers the following school year.
Be advised, in an effort to maintain a drug free and safe environment, lockers may be searched.
Students who have lost anything of value are to report such losses to the main office as soon as possible. Students should take great caution in bringing valuable items and are encouraged not to carry large sums of money while in school. The school cannot be responsible for stolen items and will not investigate stolen property.
Per McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act:
The Act defines the term “homeless children and youths” as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.
Students in homeless situations have the right to:
Be identified as homeless and receive Title I services and other supports to ensure their academic success.
Be immediately enrolled in school despite their unstable housing situation and despite their inability to produce documents ordinarily required of students who have a permanent residence.
Receive assistance in procuring school records.
Be allowed to stay in the school they attended when they became homeless or the school in which they were last enrolled (called school of origin).
Be transported from their current place of residence to the school of origin to reduce the need for them to transfer from school to school.
Receive free school nutrition.
Receive referrals to medical, mental health, dental, and other appropriate services.
Receive assistance in acquiring school supplies, standard dress or uniforms, backpacks, and other provisions needed to succeed in school.
If you are experiencing homelessness, please contact our district's Homeless Liaison, Mr. Christopher Schiffert at schiffertc@whitehallcoplay.org.
The Whitehall-Coplay School District is an educational entity that believes in ensuring a safe, nurturing, healthy and non-discriminatory learning and teaching environment for all members of the school community. The Board also believes in ensuring the opportunity
for all members of the school community to reach their full potential through access and participation in all District educational activities and programs.
Statement on Non-Discrimination
The Whitehall Coplay School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, national origin or age in its education programs and activities. The protection against discrimination extends to employment.
On May 19, 2020, the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR), published amended federal regulations implementing Title IX, the federal statute addressing discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities. The regulations become effective on August 14, 2020.
In compliance with the new Title IX regulations, the Whitehall Coplay School District designates Mrs. Angela Friebolin, Director of Personnel as the Title IX Coordinator. Contact information for Mrs. Friebolin is as follows:
• 2932 Zephyr Blvd, Whitehall, PA 18052
• 610-439-1431
• friebolina@whitehallcoplay.org
Any questions regarding Title IX or the application of related policies can be directed to the Title IX Coordinator.
For further information refer to WCSD Board Policies #103 and #104.
While attending WCSD, it is the student’s responsibility and obligation to maintain and return items lent to him/her, such as textbooks, workbooks, assigned tools, cafeteria fees, calculators, and library/reference books. Should a student lose items lent to him/her, a bill will be sent home notifying the parents/guardians of the outstanding obligation(s). Loss of items may result in loss of privileges, such as borrowing a book from the library, being held back from team or grade level activities, or purchasing tickets to dances or other activities. Obligations must be satisfied at the building they were incurred before movement to the next building. Students must satisfy all obligations prior to graduation.
12.2 STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES (PA Code)
(a) Student responsibilities include regular school attendance, conscientious effort in classroom work and homework, and conformance
to school rules and regulations. Most of all, students are responsible to share with the administration and faculty a responsibility to
develop a climate within the school that is conducive to wholesome learning and living.
(b) No student has the right to interfere with the education of fellow students. It is the responsibility of each student to respect the rights
of teachers, students, administrators and all others who are involved in the educational process.
(c) Students should express their ideas and opinions in a respectful manner.
(d) It is the responsibility of the students to conform to the following:
(1) Be aware of all rules and regulations for student behavior and conduct themselves in accordance with them. Students should
assume that, until a rule is waived, altered or repealed in writing, it is in effect.
(2) Volunteer information in matters relating to the health, safety and welfare of the school community and the protection of school property.
(3) Dress and groom to meet standards of safety and health, and not to cause substantial disruption to the educational processes.
(4) Assist the school staff in operating a safe school for the students enrolled therein.
(5) Comply with Commonwealth and local laws.
(6) Exercise proper care when using public facilities and equipment.
(7) Attend school daily and be on time at all classes and other school functions.
(8) Make up work when absent from school.
(9) Pursue and attempt to complete satisfactorily the courses of study prescribed by local school authorities.
(10) Report accurately in student media.
(11) Not use obscene language in student media or on school premises.
Pick up and drop off procedures will be coordinated with the main office staff. Parents/guardians that wish to transport students to and from school will request a set of pick up tags (2 for rear view mirror, 2 for student backpack). A Google Form will be digitally shared with all families to complete. At that point, parents/guardians will visit the main office of their child’s school, show their ID and receive the set of tags.
Parents/guardians will follow traffic patterns detailed on the district website and arrive no more than 15 minutes prior to arrival and dismissal times. If a child is being dropped off after 8:50 AM or picked up after 3:35 PM, the parent/guardian will sign your child into or out of the main office.
The following regulations have been developed by the administration of Whitehall High School to ensure a safe and orderly environment for all students who park their vehicles on Whitehall-Coplay School District property.
1. All current Juniors and Seniors who want to park in the Whitehall High School parking lot MUST have a valid Pennsylvania driver's license, not a learner permit.
2. Student parking tags are required to be displayed on the vehicle’s rearview mirror. Parking tags are not transferable between students. Vehicles parked on Whitehall-Coplay School District property must have a PA license plate, current registration, and current insurance. Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code will be enforced on Whitehall-Coplay School District property. Parking is at your own risk. The Whitehall-Coplay School District is not responsible for damage to vehicles.
3. Student parking tags are available to be used in the Whitehall High School parking lot on a first-come basis in YELLOW SPOTS ONLY. There will be no assigned spaces. There are a limited number of yellow student parking spaces available. Students are not permitted to park in Staff parking spaces or visitor parking spaces. Students not parked in yellow student parking spots will be subject to WHS disciplinary action.
4. Student parking tags are provided to students at NO COST. Students MUST have a parking tag to park in the Whitehall High School Parking Lot. Once the online form is completed by a parent/guardian, a student parking tag may be picked up by a student or parent/guardian at the Whitehall High School Main Office. Click here for the online form.
5. The School Resource Officer, Whitehall Township Police, and WHS Security monitor the school district property, including parking areas. Citations for speeding, failure to stop at stop signs, etc. will be issued. WHS administration reserves the right to have any illegally parked cars towed at the owner’s expense.
6. Students may have their parking privileges revoked by the Whitehall High School administration. Examples includes but are not limited to:
Any student failing to abide by these regulations will face Whitehall High School disciplinary action and suspension of student parking privileges at a length of time determined by the administration.
For example, upon the student's fifth (5) late to school, third (3) unexcused/illegal absence, or persistent violations of the discipline code, the student may have their parking privileges revoked for the balance of the semester.
Students who receive a Loss of Privilege letter may have their parking privilege revoked for the remainder of the school year.
In order to gain their parking privilege back, students must receive written permission from the Building Principal.
7. Administrators may enforce a search of a vehicle parked on the campus of the Whitehall-Coplay School District anytime there is a reasonable suspicion that the vehicle or contents therein may pose a danger to the health, safety, and welfare of other students or staff or when there is reasonable suspicion that its contents may be disruptive to the educational process. This is governed by WCSD Board Policy #226.
8. Permission to park at Whitehall High School also implies permission that a student has permission to drive home from Whitehall High School for any reason for dismissal.
Verification of residency within the school district boundaries is required in order for students to become or remain enrolled in the school district. The following items are required for verification of enrollment or address changes within the district:
If you own a home- Deed OR current year's real estate tax bill OR current year's school tax bill OR Closing Disclosure form from your settlement paperwork denoting the parent/guardian as the homeowner
If you rent- your signed lease agreement denoting the parent/guardian as the leaseholder.
ALL parents/guardians must provide a current utility bill OR bank statement OR billing statement OR paystub
ALL parents/guardians must provide a Whitehall or Coplay moving permit OR Whitehall or Coplay per capita tax
If a parent/guardian resides with a district resident who owns or rents in the school district, a Certificate of Multiple Occupancy form must be completed along with providing all of the supporting documents found at the top of the form.
For further information click here to visit centralized enrollment on the school district website.
The principal and/or designees may conduct a search if he/she has reasonable grounds for suspecting that the intended search will reveal evidence that the student has violated or is violating WCSD Board Policy #226, the law, or is considered a risk to overall school safety. The scope of the search shall be reasonably related to the objectives of the search and not excessively intrusive in the light of the age and sex of the student and the nature of the suspected infraction. Searches conducted by administration may include but are not limited to utilization of certified drug dogs, metal detection units, or any device used to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the school population.
Any student who leaves the high school building without permission and returns is subject to a search by school administration.
Contact 610-437-4780 for support regarding transportation questions or concerns.
Students and parents/guardians are advised that buses are equipped with video recording devices to assist drivers in providing safe transportation of students. For further information refer to WCSD Board Policy #810.
Additional information can also be found on the Whitehall-Coplay School District transportation website.
Whitehall-Coplay School District recognizes that student wellness and proper nutrition are related to students' physical well-being, growth, development and readiness to learn. The Board is committed to providing a school environment that promotes student wellness, proper nutrition, nutrition education and promotion, and regular physical activity as part of the total learning experience. In a healthy school environment, students will learn about and participate in positive dietary and lifestyle practices that can improve student achievement.
For further information refer to WCSD Board Policy #246.
Only a custodial parent/guardian may withdraw a student from school. Notification of intent to withdraw should be given at least one week prior to the final day of attendance. All obligations must be satisfied in order for the withdrawal to be approved.
According to child labor laws of the state of Pennsylvania, all persons between 14 and 18 must have a working permit in order to engage in full or part-time employment. Working papers are issued by Whitehall High School to all residents of the school district who are affected by the law. To begin the application process, a parent/guardian or student must come to the main office of the high school to request administrative approval to determine eligibility based on attendance and grades. If approved, a parent/guardian and/or student must provide the following: student’s birth certificate, passport, or green card. Students must be in good academic (passing all core classes) and attendance standing order to receive working papers.