4:00 p.m. – Front of High School
Students must sign up on the activity bus form, before 2:30 PM. This form will be posted to all teacher Google Classroom sites.
Failure to properly sign up will result in a student not being able to ride the activity bus.
Behavior issues while waiting for the activity bus and/or on the activity bus will result in disciplinary consequences and/or loss of activity bus privileges.
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.
Class meetings through Zoom will be held at designated class times and daily assignments will be posted in Google Classroom. A “Present” designation will apply for all students if the following conditions are met.
The student is logged into the class Zoom session during the designated class time and can be clearly identified.
For identification purposes, it is required that students temporarily use the video function to show their face at the start of the lesson, during attendance roll call. (Students are not required to leave the video on thereafter, but must be available through audio for questioning and class discussion purposes.)
The student completes the assignment for the day. Assignment due dates may be extended until the end of the week and must be posted on Google Classroom.
Regular attendance is necessary for a student to be successful academically, and required under state law.
Refer to board policy #204
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.
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.
Dress is a means of personal expression. It is, however, the student’s responsibility to dress in a manner that reflects pride and respect for the school as a place of learning. The student’s manner of dress or appearance must not disrupt the educational process. A student’s clothing should be clean and in accord with health and safety regulations of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The following list serves as guidelines for attire, based on the mission and values of the Whitehall-Coplay School District.
Clothes with messaging not supported by policy are not permitted.
Students shall not wear or display clothing, symbols, pins, or other paraphernalia (1) advertising alcohol, tobacco, and other controlled substances; (2) displaying inappropriate words or pictures; (3) derogatory to any ethnic group; or (4) which may cause disruption to any school, class or activity.
Any item of clothing, jewelry, or ornamentation that creates a distraction to the educational process.
Excessively short or revealing shorts, pants, skirts, and shirts and which reveal a student’s undergarments are not permitted.
Students are not permitted to wear revealing clothing which offends the sense of common decency, as judged by those entrusted with providing a positive school environment. Revealing clothing includes clothing designed for sleepwear, as well as but not limited to, clothing that reveals the midriff, halter-like tops, see- through blouses or shirts, short shorts (length of fingertips with arms fully extended), and cut-off shorts.
Outdoor jackets & hats are to be stored in a student’s locker. Hoods of any type must be kept down.
The wearing of caps, hats, jackets, coats, and other outerwear is prohibited inside the school building unless authorized by an administrator. All such clothing items must be stored in lockers or designated areas during the school day. Exceptions would be a cap or hat that is part of a school activity, or a head covering worn for religious or medical purposes as approved by administration.
Students who are not following the dress code policy will begin the process by speaking with administration to resolve the issue. Additional consequences may be assigned under the Board Policy of Whitehall Coplay School District.
Students who come to school wearing clothes that are determined to be offensive and/or in conflict with the guidelines set forth will be given an opportunity to change, call home for replacement clothing, or disciplined at the discretion of the administration.
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.
The School Code of Pennsylvania provides that everyone between the ages of six (6) and eighteen (18) must attend school. The only legal excuses for absence are personal illness, quarantine, death in the immediate family, religious holiday, or other exceptional reasons as deemed appropriate by the school administration. An excused absence is counted as an absence. All absences are unexcused/illegal unless a parent/guardian or doctor note is received in the attendance office.
An absentee excuse must be provided within three (3) school days of the absence. Excuses should include the student’s name and grade, date(s) of absence, reason for the absence, and a parent/guardian signature. Absentee excusal forms are available in the attendance office or online. Parents may also fax an excuse to 610-820-7520 or submit electronically using the link sent to the parent/guardian on the day of the absence. If a written note is not received within 3 days, the absence will be marked unexcused/illegal.
COVID-19: Any absences accrued due to mandatory quarantine orders will be considered Excused/Lawful absences as dictated by Board Policy #204. Be advised, students and parents are required to monitor signs and symptoms of illness on a daily basis. Please refer to the COVID Quick Reference Student Screener for additional guidance on daily student screening. Due to the evolving nature of state regulations and guidelines, please refer to the current PA Department of Education for additional guidance. Please contact the High School Administration immediately if your child has been ordered to quarantine.
An excused absence permits the student to make up missed assignments. It is the student's responsibility to initiate the make-up work after returning to school. If a student is or will be absent for more than three consecutive days, the counseling office should be contacted for missed work at 610-437-5081 ext. 1808.
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 to their homeroom teacher at the end of the year. If the student loses, damages, or fails to return their assigned lock, a replacement cost of $6.50 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, persons and lockers may be randomly searched.
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 Mr. Christopher A. Schiffert, Assistant to the Superintendent as the Title IX Coordinator. Contact information for Mr. Schiffert is as follows:
• 2940 MacArthur Road, Whitehall, PA 18052
• 610-439-1431
• schiffertc@whitehallcoplay.org
Any questions regarding Title IX or the application of related policies can be directed to the Title IX Coordinator.
Please refer to WCSD Board Policies 103 and 104 for information related to Non-Discrimination / Title IX Sexual Harassment.
While attending Whitehall High School it is the student’s responsibility and obligation to maintain and return items lent to them. Please note, in order to participate in Junior/Senior Prom and graduation, all obligations must be satisfied prior to attendance. The following is a partial list of such items:
Textbooks
Library/Reference Books
Damaged Property
Fundraising
Assigned Tools/Calculators
Unpaid Work Projects
Chromebooks, chargers, bags
Please note that final report cards will be withheld for any student who has an outstanding obligation.
(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.
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.
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 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 may serve as verification:
Settlement papers from home purchase
Rental agreement
Current tax bill
Moving permit
Current bank statement
Current pay stub
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 school policy, 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.
A study hall is a place to work and study, not a place to socialize. Study hall is an academic period that must be used as such. Students will be expected to maintain a quiet and respectful environment for completing academic tasks.
Students are allowed to utilize electronic devices and headphones during study hall as long as they don’t disrupt other students.
Students must sit in assigned seats. The Smartpass must be submitted for use of bathrooms, locker, nurse, and counseling.
Other aspects of the study hall will be at the discretion of the teacher assigned to the study hall.
Tardiness can hinder your success. Ample time is permitted between classes. The rules concerning tardiness are as follows:
If you arrive at school or the first period of the day after 8:00 a.m., you must report to the attendance office and receive a late pass. Failure to acquire a late pass will result in further disciplinary action. Students arriving late from doctor appointments must bring a note from the doctor’s office or parent/ guardian.
After eight (8) excused late arrivals in a semester, a parental note will no longer be sufficient. A medical excuse will be required. Parents/Guardians will receive notification by mail that such a medical excuse is required. At that point any excuse not signed by a medical professional will be recorded as unexcused or illegal.
Any student who arrives after 11:00 a.m. will be marked as a half-day absence.
Any student who attends LCTI and arrives late to school must supply their own transportation to LCTI or remain at WHS. Students may not drive to LCTI.
To be eligible for after school activities, students must report to school by 11:00 a.m.
Unexcused tardiness to school includes, but is not limited to, the following: car trouble, missed bus, alarm clock didn’t work, oversleeping.
A written excuse from a parent/guardian regarding tardiness must be presented upon arrival to school on the day of the tardy. Any assignments or assessments given during unexcused class time may result in a zero (0).
{Per Quarter, Per Class}
1st and 2nd offense Warning issued by teacher
3rd offense Detention assigned by teacher and parent/guardian notification
4th offense Two detentions assigned by teacher and parent/guardian notification
5th offense or more Office referral
Beyond 8:00 a.m. {Per Quarter}
1st and 2nd offense - Warning
3rd offense - One Detention
4th offense - Two Detentions
5h offense - Office referral with Two Detentions
6th offense & subsequent - In-school suspension, parent notification, and loss of parking privileges for the semester.
Classroom phones are only for teachers use and are not to be used by students. A telephone is located in the main office. Students may use it before and after school, during their passing time between periods, or lunch period with a pass. Use of the telephone during class time will be at the discretion of the classroom teacher who will issue a pass for telephone use. Students may not use cell phones to make phone calls at any time during school hours.
WCSD Transportation 610-437-4780
Call the above number for support regarding transportation. Students and parents are advised that buses are equipped with video recording devices to assist drivers in providing safe transportation of students.
The unexcused absence is used to designate an absence of a student who is 17 years or younger. The illegal absence is used to designate an absence of a student under 17 years of age. Such reasons as visiting relatives, oversleeping, babysitting, missing the bus, working, shopping, etc.are not acceptable and will be treated as unexcused or illegal absences.