High School Policies
High School Dress Code
The following provides an overview of the Dress Code Guidelines at Shenendehowa. Please see the Board of Education Code of Conduct for more detailed information and specific examples.
- Students should wear clothing that fully covers all undergarments. Shirt and dress straps should be as wide as the straps of any undergarments, including bra straps and underwear. In addition, a student’s undergarments should not be visible through the clothing.
- Students should wear clothing that fully covers all private areas, including the midriff and upper/lower back.
- Skirts should be at least mid-thigh in length, from inseam to knee.
- When leggings or tights are worn, they are to be covered by a shirt, skirt, or dress that is at least mid-thigh in length from inseam to knee.
- Shorts should cover all private areas and undergarments, and not be revealing in any way.
- Students should wear footwear that is safe and appropriate for school and school-related activities.
- If clothing contains images or words, these must be appropriate for the school setting.
- The following are just some examples of clothing that is not appropriate for the academic setting of school: tube tops, halter tops, revealing tank tops, form-fitting skirts, athletic jersey tank tops, and t-shirts with messages that promote sexual activity or drug use.
The High School administration reserves the right to determine if a student’s attire is appropriate for school. If students are wearing inappropriate clothing, they will be expected to change their clothes, to cover up their attire, or to be picked up from school immediately.
Eligibility Guidelines to Attend Events
Participation in events such as, but not limited to, Homecoming, dances, athletic events, Dodgeball Tournament, Shen Idol, prom, and other events as scheduled.
Attendance – (same guidelines as senior privileges)
- May not exceed 5 unexcused tardies/absences to school or class per marking period
Behavior – similar guidelines as senior privileges
- May not commit a level 3 or 4 infraction during a marking period
- May not cut a class or have not more than 3, level 1 or 2 incidents per marking period
Achievement – can not be failing more than one subject
- Student must produce a form with teacher documentation indicating that he/she is passing at the time of the event(Friday sheet)
- Student may produce an academic recovery plan created with parent, student, guidance and administration
- Exceptions – Students may work themselves off of ineligibility for behavior issues, by performing community service, and for academic issues with the development of a recovery plan
- Students circumstances will be evaluated at 5 week intervals
- Administration determines the eligibility of all students, for all events, at anytime, based on the circumstances of each individual student
Taking a student from a different grade or school to a dance
All guests from a different grade or outside of Shenendehowa High School are subject to the approval of the administration. Students may request to take a student from a different grade or school to a dance using the form below:
Alcohol Testing at School Events
We are consistently working to help our young people make good choices. Sometimes, however, adolescents make mistakes. Some of these mistakes involve alcohol or other drugs.
Chaperones/administrators will use passive alcohol devices prior to and /or during selected Shenendehowa High School student events (including but not limited to athletic events, dances, and after-school social activities) to better determine whether or not a student has consumed alcohol.
The passive alcohol device can detect alcohol from a person’s breath as they are speaking and from the ambient air surrounding them. The device uses a platinum electromechanical fuel cell to detect alcohol vapors. It only detects alcohol and not any other substances. Students may be asked to speak into the device as they enter the event. The process should take 15 seconds. This device will be used to check students when they enter a student event and periodically during the event. If a student is determined to be under the influence of alcohol, parents/guardians will be called and disciplinary consequences will be administered according to the Code of Conduct (BOE 4410R). If at any time a chaperone or monitor suspects a student may be under the influence of alcohol, the student will be removed from the activity and referred to the administrator in charge for assessment and passive alcohol screening. For school day alcohol-related discipline investigations, this device will be used.
The following procedures will be used.
- All students entering selected after-school events, as determined by administration, will be checked with the passive alcohol device as they enter the school event.
- If a positive indication occurs, the student will be asked if they were drinking alcohol. Student belongings and the person will be searched.
- If a student admits to consuming alcohol, he/she will be subject to the discipline procedures outlined by the Code of Conduct (BOE 4410R).
- If the student denies consuming alcohol, a breathalyzer may be administered after a screening by a school nurse.
- In all cases parents will be contacted and informed of the school’s concern for their child.
- If a student is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and refuses to be screened and/or breathalyzed, they will be sent home with a parent, and be subject to disciplinary consequences. These consequences may also affect a student’s participation in future events.
- The student will be picked up by the parent or designee, with parental permission.
Some students are consuming alcohol at or before school events. If they understand that they will be easily identified and face school suspension, this will dissuade them from being under the influence or using alcohol at school events. We want students to enjoy their friends and have fond memories of high school. With the intervention we have outlined, it is our hope students will remain safe and avoid tragic events.
