Academics & Extracurriculars

Cheating undermines the spirit of fairness and the joy of achievement after diligent work.  Cheating and plagiarism will be addressed by the teacher responsible for grading the material in question with support of the administrative team.  A grade of zero may be assigned for the material as well as disciplinary action may be taken for the disruption to the educational process. Please be aware of the plagiarism information and policy located on the school’s website and distributed to all students in English classes. 

Board Policy 123 - Interscholastic Athletics 

610-437-5081, ext. 1816

Intramural and interscholastic athletic activities are available to all students. Additional information, including the Code of Conduct, is available online and in the Athletic Office. 

School rules and good sportsmanship apply.

Poor sportsmanship may cause the event to be forfeited and the citation of our school by the league and/or the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association.  Fans exhibiting unsportsmanlike behavior may be ejected from the venue.

Policy on Sportsmanship:

The ideals of good sportsmanship, ethical behavior, and integrity permeate our culture.  The values of good citizenship and high behavioral standards apply equally to all activity disciplines.  In perception and practice, good sportsmanship shall be defined as those qualities of behavior which are characterized by generosity and genuine concern for others.  Further, awareness is expected of the impact of an individual’s influence on the behavior of others.  Good sportsmanship is viewed by the EPC as a concrete measure of the understanding and commitment to fail play, ethical behavior, and integrity.  The EPC and its member schools reserve the right to eject any spectators whose conduct is detrimental to good sportsmanship.  Misbehavior at sporting events may lead to prosecution or school disciplinary actions.

Student Participants:

• Treat opponents with respect; shake hands prior to and after contests as indicated by the sport’s protocol.

• Respect the judgment of contest officials, abide by contest rules, and display no behavior that could incite the fans.

• Cooperate with officials, coaches, and fellow participants to conduct a fair contest.

• Accept seriously the responsibility and privilege of representing school and community.

Spirit Groups:

• Lead desired crowd response using only positive cheers, sign, and praise without demeaning or antagonizing opponents.

• Treat opposing spirit groups and fans with courtesy and respect.

• Know the rules and strategies of the contest in order to cheer at proper times.

• Recognize outstanding play of both teams.

• Maintain enthusiasm and composure, serving as a role model of positive behavior.

Parents/Students and Other Fans:

• Realize that a ticket is a privilege to observe a contest and support high school activities, not a license to verbally assault others.

• Respect decisions made by the officials.

• Be a role model by supporting teams in a positive manner, including the content of cheers.

• Respect other fans, coaches, and participants.

• Be a fan, not fanatic.

The high school has a voluntary club program.  Clubs meet before and after regular school hours.  Each year the number and type of clubs vary depending on requests of the students.  Groups wishing to form a club should go to the main office to request a meeting with the designated administrator in order to initiate the process. 

Refer to the Whitehall High School Course Catalog which is available on the high school webpage or by calling the Counseling Office at 610-437-5081.

A club or organization that wishes to sponsor a dance must seek the approval of the administrator who will serve as one of the chaperones of the dance before submitting a Use of Facility Request Form.  Clubs are responsible for all expenses incurred for DJ, decorations, tickets, police and security.  

1. The advisor of the student organization sponsoring the dance is the person in charge.  Rules specific to each dance may be established and disseminated by the advisor.  This includes proper dress, i.e. formal or semi-formal.  If individuals cannot abide by particular guidelines of the dance, they should not come to the dance and will be turned away at the door.

2. Any dance that permits outside guests MUST submit the Guest Approval Form prior to the function.  The advisor sponsoring the dance will determine the date the form is to be returned.

3. Dances begin at 7:00 p.m. and end at 10:00 p.m.  No student will be admitted after 8:30 p.m. unless prior arrangements have been made with the administrator chaperoning the dance.  Students should arrange to be picked up no later than 10:00 p.m. and depart the campus.

4. Anyone who leaves the dance will not be readmitted.

5. All the normal rules of behavior and decorum are in effect.  Any arguing, fighting or ungentlemanly or unladylike conduct may result in the offending parties being removed from the dance.  Disciplinary action or referral to the Whitehall Police Department may also follow.

6. Searches for alcohol, drugs or weapons may be authorized by an administrator any time there is a reasonable suspicion that an individual may have something in his/her possession that is a threat to the health, safety or welfare of the individual or others at the dance.  This includes vehicles on the parking lot.  Attending while under the influence will result in disciplinary action and police referral.

7. When advertising for the dance, the organization will announce whether this is a “closed” or “open” dance.  Closed dances are for WHS students only.  Open dances are dances which students from other schools may attend.  Guest passes are available when purchasing tickets.  Students with questionable disciplinary records at other schools may not attend.  Whitehall High School host students are responsible for the behavior of their guests.

8. Guests may not be older than 20 years of age.  No middle school students may attend a Whitehall High School dance.

9. Organizations that wish to sponsor a dance must have at least six teachers, a WTPD police officer, and one administrator willing to serve as chaperones; otherwise, the dance may be canceled.

10. Dances, like any other weekend extra-curricular activity, requires students to be present in class on the Friday preceding the dance.  

11. In order to participate in Junior/Senior Prom, all obligations must be satisfied prior to purchasing tickets.

Board Policy 122 - Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities offer many opportunities for a student to develop character and self-expression.  A student must arrive before 11:10 a.m. and must be an excused tardy on the day of the activity in order to be eligible to participate in that activity. 

Student extra-curricular activities and athletic programs are governed by school Rules of Responsible Behavior and the Student Code of Conduct.  Copies of the Code of Conduct can be obtained from the athletic office.

      Mark   Percent Range

    A+ 97-100

    A         93-96

    A- 90-92

    B+ 87-89

    B         83-86

    B- 80-82

    C+ 77-79

    C         73-76

    C- 70-72

    D+ 67-69

    D         63-66

    D- 60-62

            F         0-59 

1. High Honor Roll:  Awarded to students receiving a 4.0 and higher GPA with no grade lower than an A-.

2. Honor Roll:  Awarded to students receiving a 3.0 to 3.99 GPA with no grade lower than a B-.

ALL subjects included in the student’s schedule will be considered in determining recipients of High Honor and Honor Roll recognition. 

               Fall Semester     Spring Semester

Nov. 2 - 1st Quarter Mar. 29 – 3rd Quarter

Jan. 20 - 2nd Quarter June 9 - 4th Quarter 

After enrollment, students new to the high school will be directed to the Counseling Office to develop a schedule and receive pertinent information.  Counselors will ensure that new students have a student guide for the first day of school.  New students will tour the building and stop by the administrative office to meet members of the administrative team.  Parents of new students are encouraged to join the Parent Teacher Organization Plus (PTO Plus). 

Seniors and juniors wishing to visit a college, technical school, or other post secondary educational institution must submit an educational trip form prior to the visit.  The request must include the name of the college and the date of the visitation.

If approved, the absence will be excused.  Upon their return, students are required to provide college visit verification to the attendance office, or the visit will be unexcused.  Forms may be obtained at the attendance office.

Students have an opportunity to participate in The Breeze, Whitehall’s newspaper, and The Whitehall, the school’s yearbook.  

Teachers use Powerschool for grading purposes.  Parents who wish to receive periodic grade updates should access the Parent Portal and request to receive regular emails on your child’s progress.  Report cards indicating subject achievement will be made available electronically on a quarterly basis.  Progress reports will be made available at the midpoint of each marking period during the school year for students who have a grade of C- (70%) or less.  Parents / guardians wishing to obtain a paper copy of their child’s report card should contact the high school main office. 

Students who wish to review their school records may contact the counseling office for an appointment. Both permanent and cumulative records are housed in the counseling office. Parents/guardians must sign the record review sheet. 

Students are strongly encouraged to make up any failed course required for graduation in a summer remediation program. Courses will be offered through an online educational program.  Any exceptions to this policy must be approved by the principal.