Special Programs

STUDY HALL

Students in grades 9-11 may include up to one full-year period of a study hall within their schedule.  Seniors may take up to two full-year periods of a study hall.  The expectation of a study hall is that it is a quiet and respectful environment intended primarily for academic tasks.  Students do not earn academic credit for a study hall.

JUNIOR/SENIOR EXCUSAL 

Junior/Senior Excusal is directly linked to a student’s study hall and is a privilege that is earned.  Junior/Senior Excusal enables juniors and seniors who elect to take a study hall to enter the building late or leave early when their study hall period falls at either the beginning or end of the school day.  Parent permission is required.  In order for a student to remain on campus during a Junior/Senior Excusal, the student must gain prior administrative approval and sign in with the Attendance Office.  Additionally, students must arrange their own transportation to or from school.  Students arriving after a period has started will be marked as late.  Students who forgo Junior/Senior Excusal must report to class for the entire period.  Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action for lateness.

DIVERSIFIED CAREER OCCUPATIONS (DCO) THROUGH LCTI

The DCO Program is offered to qualified 11th and 12th grade students as an alternate method of earning credits toward graduation while gaining valuable workplace experience.  The program is delivered through weekly small group instruction at Whitehall High School and work-based experience, along with completion of weekly requirements.  The LCTI application, Workplace Training Agreement, and additional information is required to enroll students into the program.

INDEPENDENT STUDY PROGRAM

Students may engage in an independent study program by notifying their counselors of their desire to participate in this program.  Students who wish to participate in the independent study program must follow the guidelines aligned with School Board Policy #118.  

The purpose of an independent study shall be to:

• Extend the learning experience begun in the classroom

• Develop a student's judgement and self-reliance in the conduct of the learning experience

• Relate academic knowledge to the world of work and learning beyond the school.

• Draw upon community resources as well as school resources for a student's educational program.

• Include a greater variety of learning experiences within the educational program.

• Identify and explore an area of particular interest.

• Set personal learning goals and work toward achieving them, with appropriate staff guidance.

• Learn to utilize various research tools and methods.

A three-member committee, comprised of the mentor teacher, a guidance counselor, and a high school administrator will review the proposed independent study plan with the student and his/her parent/guardian and advise the Superintendent that the plan meets all necessary requirements. The Superintendent or designee shall approve or disapprove each course of independent study.

Each course of independent study must meet the requirements of applicable laws and regulations. 

Each course of independent study shall be noted on the student’s transcript with an indication of pass/fail, except when the student has received specific approval for a grade.  A copy of the plan and assessments will be stored in the student’s permanent record until graduation.

Independent study courses that qualify for credit toward graduation will be available only to high school students. Students may take no more than one (1) independent study course per semester unless approved by the Superintendent.

Independent study courses will not qualify for weighted credit when calculating the student’s GPA. Independent study courses which receive a pass/fail grade will not be included in the computation of a student’s GPA. Independent study courses which receive a letter grade will be included in the computation of a student’s GPA.

The proposal for independent study must be submitted by the 10th day of each semester and all work must be completed by the 85th day of each semester for the student to receive credit for the course of study. Proposals for year-long independent study courses must be submitted by the 10th day of the first semester and all work must be completed by the 85th day of the second semester. Additionally, the planning committee will establish procedures to monitor progress throughout the year.

The District will not be responsible to provide any transportation that might be associated with an independent study course.

A brief course (less than one (1) semester), designed to remediate specific skill deficits or prepare a student for another course may be developed in consultation with a teacher, guidance counselor, and principal but will not be awarded credit toward completion of graduation requirements.

The following guidelines shall be implemented when an independent study program is established:

The program is established as part of, in lieu of, or in addition to regular courses and may vary in time from several weeks to a semester or a full school year.

The program normally will be for credit when completed as part of the work or, in lieu of work, for a credit-bearing course.

A faculty sponsor-advisor to whom each participating student reports on a regular basis must be assigned.  Members of the community may serve as co-sponsor/advisors with members of the professional staff.

The program may permit the student to do all or part of the project outside the school building. 

GIFTED

If evaluated and identified as gifted, a student may develop an Individualized Education Program by working with their counselor and the K-12 Gifted Coordinator to choose from the following options:

Honors/Academic Courses – Differentiated Instruction/Assignments

Advanced Placement Courses

Distance Learning

Independent Study

Dual Enrollment Courses

LCCC Course (1/junior year and/or 1/senior year)

Regular Course Offerings

HOMEBOUND INSTRUCTION

As per School Board Policy #117 – “Homebound Instruction”, Whitehall-Coplay School District will provide homebound instruction for a maximum of five hours per week.  The student must meet the following requirements:

1. Has an illness or disability that will prevent attendance at school for more than ten (10) school days.

2. Presents a medical doctor’s statement attesting to the illness and the estimated length of confinement.  This request must be renewed by a doctor every three (3) months.

Requests for homebound instruction should be submitted to the student’s counselor.  Upon receipt of a medical physician’s signed request, the counselor will initial the request form and forward this paperwork to the building principal.  Students may earn up to a maximum of eight credits in a school year.  As per board policy, the program of homebound instruction provided to each student shall be in accordance with the standards established by the state.

RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS

As per School Board Policy #105.2 – "Exemption from Instruction"  Any religious exemptions need to meet the requirements of Policy #105.2.  Parents/guardians must submit the request for religious exemptions prior to the course start date.